Event: Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Date/Time: Saturday, October 29, 2011 - 7 p.m. EDT.
Location: Bell Centre (Capacity: 21,273), Montreal, QB.
Broadcast Info: Saturday's game between the Bruins and Canadiens will be broadcast live on NESN, as well as the NHL Network and RDS in Canada. The game can also be heard on the 98.5 the Sports Hub Radio Network, with Dave Goucher providing play-by-play, and Bob Beers providing analysis.
Last Time Out: As if anyone needed a reminder.
The last time out for both of these teams was Thursday when the Canadiens bounced Boston into last place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 win at TD Garden.
Tomas Plekanec had the game winning goal, tossing a puck at Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid who fumbled the puck, and Plekanec put it away. This cancelled out the only goal for the Bruins, where Plekanec’s backhanded draw cost his team the lead in the first period. Habs goaltender Carey Price took the blame, but Plekanec was more than happy that his goal was able to give his team the win.
As for the Bruins, the only real highlight from the night besides some of the saves Tim Thomas made on the Montreal offense that peppered him with 18 shots in the second period alone, was the fight between Brad Marchand and P.K. Subban. While it didn’t seem to do much to add procutiono on the ice, it was a boost that the team and Bruins fans needed at the time.
Storyline: Well, it was a story two nights ago as well, but it never really got started. Benoit Pouliot will be returning to the Bell Centre for the first time since he was ousted from the organization. It will be the second time out against his former team, but last Thrusday, he didn’t really make much of an impact. He only had one shot on net and was on the ice for just 8:59. I would bet that he will get amped up even more for this game and you’ll see a little more production out of him.
While I think the Marchand vs. Subban fight was a huge story line on Thursday, I really don’t think it will carry over to tonight. It was a heat of the moment situation, but I don’t think the animosity between these two is strong enough to provoke a round two (or four?) between these specific players. But you can expect Brad Marchand to get booed.
Speaking of booing, Zdeno Chara will also get the warm welcome from the Bell Centre crowd. It’s to be expected. It’s like every time Alex Rodriguez steps up to the plate at Fenway--it is a guaranteed wave of boos. So even though the story of the Chara/ Pacioretty is finally over (we hope), Chara will never be exempt from the warm welcome from Habs fans.
And finally, the Bruins are looking to climb out of last place, while the Canadiens are hoping for a three-game winning streak. Boston sits at a meager 3-6-0 and the Habs 3-5-2.
Players To Watch: Max Pacioretty was somewhat invisible in Thursday’s game. I don’t think that’s normal, especially since he is the leading scorer for the team. Since he’s back at home and out of the glaring gaze of 17,565 Bruins fans, expect him to get a little more aggressive and be a key factor in tonight’s game.
Benoit Pouliot. I already said it, but I’ll say it again. It’s one thing facing your old team in the comfort of your own barn, but going back to your old stomping grounds adds a new level of excitement to the mix. I don’t think he will come out and have a four point game, but don’t be surprised if he provides a little more than one shot on net in 8:59. He said before he can’t let his excitement take over his game, but he needs to have it be a part. It wasn’t until Plekanec scored his goal on Thursday that you really saw Pouliot come out. He looked like a man on a mission and he will need to bring that intensity all game tonight in order for Claude Julien to get what he wants out of him.
Prediction: There are fewer things more crazy than a Bruins/Habs game at the Bell Centre. Expect the B’s to come out even more physical than before, but don’t anticipate another Thomas/Price fighting brawl. As much as everyone would like to see that again. Final Score: Canadiens 4, Bruins 2.
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