Just last Wednesday, the Boston Bruins were the third-best team in the Eastern Conference, ready to open their series with the No. 6 Montreal Canadiens at the TD Garden. Now, they're facing a must-win situation.
Indeed, when the Bruins face the Canadiens Monday night in Montreal, Boston will need a win to avoid going down 3-0 in their best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoffs series. But maybe that's for the best -- after all, Boston was 24-12-5 on the road during the regular season, tied for the fourth-most road wins in the NHL.
Although, history is certainly not on the side of the Bruins -- Boston has never won a series when trailing 2-0, a perfect 0-26 mark.
"It's not over. We have more hockey to play," said Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban about his club sweeping a pair from their perennial rivals. "All business."
Boston has been frustrated by Carey Price, as the Bruins have put just one of their 66 shots in the series past the Canadiens goaltender. Price made 31 saves in a 2-0 victory in the opener and stopped 34-of-35 shots in Saturday's 3-1 triumph at TD Garden.
The big question for Monday's game is the status of captain Zdeno Chara. The defenseman did not play Saturday night after spending Friday night in the hospital due to dehydration. He's made the trip to Montreal, and it sounds like he might be lacing up the skates.
Chara did not speak to the media after taking part in the entire skate, leading his teammates in the post-practice stretch, but Bruins coach Claude Julien suggested the chances his captain will play Monday night are strong.
"As of right now he's looking good," Julien said. "But I can't stand here and say he's definitely in."