Jan 30, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) shoots the puck against Montreal Canadiens goalie Peter Budaj (30) during the first period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Rivalry Continues: Bruins vs. Canadiens
Every NHL game is a battle. Teams may lose a game they should’ve won. Teams may win a game they should’ve lost. For the Boston Bruins, every competition is different, but recently, they haven’t fallen victim to the unpredictability of hockey basking in a five-game win streak.
Even if they cling neck and neck with an opponent, the resilient B’s ultimately gain the advantage and capture the win. We saw Boston barely overcome the Tampa Bay Lightning several days ago in a 4-3 shootout.
Tied 1-1 with the Florida Panthers until the third period on Sunday, the Bruins busted the match open in the remaining 20 minutes, netting four goals in a 5-2 conquest.
The Bruins will face their longtime arch rival, the Montreal Canadiens, at the Bell Centre on Wednesday.
Can the Bruins extend their triumphant ways vs. the Canadiens?
It’s always a heated, aggressive contest between these teams, and no matter where either squad sits in the standings, the game itself is always exhilarating.
That said, the Canadiens may have the upper hand in this match.
Consider the fact that the Bruins are playing some of their best hockey of the season. The Canadiens have lost two straight.
This scenario was nearly identical when the B’s took on the Canadiens in January. Montreal endured a bit of a rough patch, notching a weak 1-4-0 record in their past five games then.
They took on the Bruins, though, who were managing a four-game win streak, and blasted their defense in a 4-1 rout. Obviously, although this previous encounter isn’t a guarantee of the future, it’s something to contemplate.
According to quotations from WEEI.com , Claude Julien thinks the Bruins’ problems against the Habs are fairly cut and dry.
"“I’€™m not ready to say that. Not ready to say that,” Julien said. “Again, you’€™ve seen seasons where they’€™ve had the best of us and then we get in the playoffs and it’€™s the other way around. What changed? The team didn’€™t change. It’€™s just the way maybe we played and maybe the way they played. I’€™m more looking at head to head, how we’€™ve played against them, how they’€™ve played against us versus what they have and what we have or don’€™t have.”"
Yes, the style the Bruins bring to the table will definitely affect the outcome of this match.
A B’s victory will necessitate a physical but controlled effort. The Bruins can’t overplay the Canadiens because Montreal exploits overly aggressive skating, capitalizing on odd-man rushes with players like Thomas Vanek, P.K. Subban, and Max Pacioretty.
Also, Carey Price‘s absence won’t demolish the Canadiens’ chances.
Peter Budaj is the likely replacement for Price, and he was responsible for flattening the Bruins in January, compiling 34 saves. Budaj holds a 4-1-0 all-time record against the B’s.
Therefore, the Canadiens have an excellent opportunity to give the Bruins a run for their money. Boston’s defense must hold strong in the wake of offensive ineffectiveness.