Boston Bruins Earn Retribution For Winter Classic Loss To The Montreal Canadiens On Tuesday Night
The Boston Bruins earned a well-deserved, and timely win on Tuesday against the rivaled Montreal Canadiens by a score of 4-1.
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The Boston Bruins have been notoriously bad when facing the Montreal Canadiens in recent years, culminating in an embarrassing 5-1 loss to the rivaled Habs at the Winter Classic on January 1st 2016. The Boston Bruins were able to figure out the Canadiens for the second time this season in a game that had serious playoff implications. Tuukka Rask came up big for the Bruins making 38 saves on 39 shots versus a team that he usually struggles against.
Entering the game, the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens held the first and second wildcard positions respectively, any any division game is a four-point game as the winner not only claims two points, but can also prevent the opposing team from earning two points. Due to the New Jersey Devils winning their game on Tuesday night, they immediately claimed a playoff spot, knocking Montreal out of a playoff position during their game against the Bruins.
Puck Prose
The Montreal Canadiens entered Tuesday’s game on a four-game losing streak, and many believed that their game against the Bruins’ would be exactly what they needed to get their season back on track. Fortunately for the Boston Bruins, the road has been very favorable for them so far this season, compiling a 13-5-3 record on the road going into Tuesdays’ game. The Bruins have allowed only 14 road power play goals on the season, including some that came in the first quarter of the season when the Bruins looked lost-at-best on the penalty kill each and every night, The Bruins were able to finally turn their penalty killing unit into one of the best in the league starting in the middle of November without sacrificing much offense or power play efficiency in the process.
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The Boston Bruins are currently riding a three game win-streak and remain in the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference while the Montreal Canadiens sit one point out of a playoff position. The Canadiens had yet to sit outside of the playoff at any point of the season prior to this game, and they occupied the first place position in the Atlantic Division as recently as December 14th. With the Canadiens slumping, the Bruins will need to create as much distance as they can between their long-time rivals while also trying to catch the red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Florida Panthers — who have recently shown that they are a legitimate young playoff contender.
The Boston Bruins will return to action at the TD Garden on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. In the last meeting between these two clubs, the Boston Bruins humbled the Canucks with a 4-0 win in Vancouver; a game that the Canucks will certainly try to avenge. The Bruins will need to keep their composure and quickly turn the page on their victory over the Montreal Canadiens if they intend on beating the Vancouver Canucks.
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Other Things Of Note:
Patrice Bergeron had a good night for himself as well on Tuesday, officially passing Cam Neely‘s 590 points with a goal against the Canadiens. Bergeron now sits all alone in eight place all time for Bruins scoring with 591 points.
David Pastrnak scored his fourth goal of the season in just his first game back from injury and also added an assist.
Brad Marchand scored for the second time in two games, giving him 17 goals on the season; good for second on the team behind his linemate; Patrice Bergeron.
Follow Brandon Share-Cohen on Twitter @BShareCohen to discuss all things Bruins and sports