[sc:NHL250 ]Just a few months ago, the Montreal Canadiens began the season with a franchise-best start. Now, they’re one of the worst teams in the league due to a big injury to star goaltender Carey Price.
Things won’t get any easier for the Canadiens when they welcome the Boston Bruins to Bell Centre tonight, as the Bruins have won back-to-back games to snap a four-game losing streak. They ahave a chance to win three-straight for the first time in 2016 as well.
It’s going to be a classic matchup between these two Original Six rivals. Read on as we take a look at everything you need to know heading into this game.
While the Bruins and Canadiens heat up the NHL, the NBA will have two of its own solid showdowns. Check out our complete previews for the Bucks vs. Heat and Thunder vs. Nuggets.
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Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens Preview
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal
When: Tuesday, January 19, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Boston Bruins (-105) at Montreal Canadiens (-115); total 5.0 – view all NHL lines
Betting on the Boston Bruins (23-16-5)
The Boston Bruins are gunning for revenge. Boston was the only team that allowed the Canadiens to score more than three goals over their last 23 games, which was during a 5-1 loss at Gillette Stadium for the Winter Classic on January 1. Only Adam McQuaid scored a goal for the Bruins, but that was during the third and final period of the game already.
[sc:NHL240 ]If the Bruins are to get their revenge on the Canadiens, they’ll need to get Brad Marchand involved in the game. Boston has gone 10-1-2 when Marchand scores in a game. Most recently, Marchand scored the game-winner in the third period of a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.
Patrice Bergeron scored a brace against Toronto as well. And with Montreal up next, the flow of the game will have to go through him. The Bruins forward has collected 19 goals and 27 assists (46 points) in 59 career games against the Canadiens.
Bergeron and Marchand should expect the Habs to lock them both down in this game. While the two will probably not have enough space to unload on Montreal goalie Mike Condon, they can still rely on their excellent teammates. Left wing Loui Eriksson has been a strong scorer this season, ranking second on the team with 37 points (15 goals and 22 assists). Ryan Spooner and David Krejci have also been solid with each having 33 points so far.
The offense could certainly click against a reeling Montreal squad. However, the Bruins don’t stand much of a chance if Tuuka Rask continues to struggle. The former Vezina Trophy winner had lost four straight before stopping 27 of 29 shots in a victory against Toronto on Saturday. It also doesn’t help that Rask has won only four of his 22 regular-season starts against Montreal.
Betting on the Montreal Canadiens (23-19-4)
The Montreal Canadiens started the season on a franchise-best nine straight wins. Now, they’re 5-15-1 in their last 21 games. The Canadiens have lost four-straight games, most recently losing a 5-2 decision to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.
Montreal has struggled to get offense, scoring just 1.86 goals per contest since the start of December. Having a listless attack will continue to make things difficult for the Habs, who are still missing standout goaltender Carey Price. He was the lifeblood of the team, going 10-2 with a 2.06 GAA in his 12 starts before falling to a leg injury.
With Price continuing to miss time, the pressure will be high on backup Mike Condon to keep opponents out of the net. He has lost his last three starts, though, having allowed a total of eight goals. Still, Condon could have a pretty good outing against the Bruins. He stopped 27 of 28 shots against Boston in the Winter Classic on January 1, and he’s also 2-1 with a 2.03 GAA against the Bruins in his career.
If Condon can keep Boston out of the net, then he’ll give a chance for Max Pacioretty to net a crucial goal. Pacioretty has scored in back-to-back games heading into this matchup and has five goals in his last eight. Expect him to get some help from Brendan Gallagher and Dale Weise as well, who are tied for second on the team with 11 goals apiece.
Defenseman P.K. Subban should also lend his excellent playmaking with his team-high 29 assists this season. Subban has 14 points in 28 career games against Boston, while boasting a solid plus-six in those games.
The Canadiens have lost seven of their last 10 at home, but won 13 of their last 15 regular season games against Boston.
Writer’s Prediction
The Bruins (-105) get their sweet revenge by blowing out Montreal, 4-2.
