Boston Bruins: 3 burning questions ahead of game with Canadiens

There are a few questions to ask ahead of the Boston Bruins’ match-up with the Montreal Canadiens this Wednesday night.

Coming into this game on the back of a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, there’s absolutely zero doubt that the Boston Bruins will be looking to get back to winning ways.

Add in the fact that it’s the Canadiens coming to town and, while the rivalry lacks the heat it once had, this game is still one that both sides will absolutely be wanting to claim bragging rights in.

What version of the Canadiens do we get?

Will the Boston Bruins be matching up against the same Montreal Canadiens that they thrashed 8-1 back in late November or will it be the team that we went down to 5-4 earlier that month.

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You’d have to imagine that the Canadiens are still clinging to the slightest hope they may make the play-offs this season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are just five points ahead of them, holding third place in the Atlantic Division. Unfortunately for Montreal, they have played the most games in the division with 58 so far, so it’s truly an uphill battle.

However, all the time there’s still a chance, you’d have to imagine it’s an amped-up Canadiens side arriving in town. They’ll be wanting a win and not just because of the decades-old rivalry between us and them.

Can David Pastrnak get back to his goal scoring ways?

David Pastrnak loved playing against the Montreal Canadiens last time around. In the 8-1 result, he tallied 4 goals. In fact, across the 3 fixtures between these two sides already this season, he has 5 goals and across his NHL career has always seemed to enjoy playing Montreal, with 11 goals and 7 assists in 18 fixtures with the Canadiens.

If there’s any game that David Pastrnak can shake off his recent goal scoring slump and get chasing Alex Ovechkin and Auston Matthews once more, it’s this one.

Indeed, if he can break his slump and score, you’d put good money on the Boston Bruins coming away with the result. When he scores, we typically win!

Will Tuukka Rask shake off the Red Wings result?

The Red Wings result was a tale of two goaltenders. Unfortunately for the Boston Bruins, Tuukka Rask was in net for the second time in less than 24 hours, while Jonathan Bernier stood on his head conceding just one on 40 shots.

Given there’s been a couple of days between that fixture and this one, you’d have to imagine we’ll be seeing a well-rested and recovered Tuukka Rask as opposed to the one that seemed a little rattled on Sunday.

The Montreal fixture is always a tale of goaltending, especially as Carey Price is more often than not at the other end of the ice.

If the Boston Bruins are to get a good result, they need Rask on his game. The Canadiens proved on the weekend that they’re no pushovers with an over-time win over Toronto and will be looking to carry that momentum.

Claiming the two points is vital for both teams here, with the Boston Bruins wanting to maintain the gap to Tampa Bay in second place, while Montreal desperately need points in their push to make the play-offs.

Whatever happens, we’re no doubt in for a great game of hockey this Wednesday night between two of the league’s most-storied franchises.