Boston Bruins Preview: B’s Host Montreal

The Boston Bruins are looking to keep their winning streak alive Thursday when the longtime rival Montreal Canadiens visit TD Garden. The Bruins handled playoff hopeful Ottawa Senators and now look to crush the last place Montreal Canadiens. However, Montreal hasn’t given up on their season as they are still playing tough defeating Tampa Bay 3-2 Tuesday night.

These two teams haven’t seen one another since January 24th in a 4-2 Bruins win. The B’s currently hold the 1-0 season series lead over the struggling Canadiens who have lost 6 of their last 8. These two organizations couldn’t be farther apart in terms of how this season has gone. Boston has a goal differential of +115 while Montreal is sitting at -65.

Injuries remain a concern for the Boston Bruins as the season is starting to come to a close. Defenseman Derek Forbort got injured blocking a shot against Winnipeg and its expected he won’t be back until the playoffs. On the bright side of the injury front, Nick Foligno skated Tuesday morning before the rest of the team and Taylor Hall was seen leading the warmup stretches at practice. Some good news for those two but it still remains unknown when they will return.

Montreal has dealt with the injury bug all season as well with key pieces to their franchise not available. Carey Price has yet to see the ice this season with a knee injury, young stud Cole Caufield is out for the season with an apparent shoulder injury and Sean Monahan is out with a foot injury.

I would expect Jeremy Swayman in between the pipes Thursday night and it could be a night to remember as David Pastrnak is only two goals shy of reaching the 50 goal mark. Pastrnak could join the select group of Phil Esposito, Johnny Bucyk, Ken Hodge, Rick Middleton and Cam Neely if he pots two goals against Montreal.

These two teams won’t meet again until April 13th.