Match Up:
The
Canadiens (35-24-7) are home to host the Atlantic leading Bruins
(42-17-5) Wednesday night at the Bell Centre. The game is set to start
at 7:30 and airs on RDS and TSN-Habs.
This is the third of four
meeting between the Habs and Bruins, they'll meet again in Boston in
less than two week to finish off the season series. The Canadiens have
already beaten the Bruins twice in regulation, a 2-1 win in Montreal in
December and a 4-1 win in Boston at the end of January. Max Pacioretty
has goals in both games against Boston this year and Brendan Gallagher
has 3 assists in the season series.
What to Watch:
Thomas
Vanek has played two games as a Hab and is still looking for his first
point with the team, but the former Sabre has 30 goals and 31 assists in
53 career games against the Bruins. The Canadiens struggled during
their 4-game West Coast road trip, getting shut out in their last game
and going 1-3-0 on the whole with their win coming in the shootout. With
just 16 games left in the regular season, the team will look to bounce
back strong against the Bruins.
Despite playing fewer games than
anyone in the division, the Bruins have an 11 point cushion over second
place as they look to clinch their fourth division title in the last 6
years. The team has won 5 straight and taken 11 of a possible 14 points
since returning from the Olympic break. Vezina frontrunner Tuukka Rask
has been a big part of the Bruins success. With 18 games remaining on
the season, Rask has already seen more action this year than in his 6
prior season and responded by posting personal bests in wins (28), shut
outs (6) and saves (1319).
What's at Stake:
Although
there are points separating them in the standings, the Canadiens are
essentially in a three-way tie with the Lightning and the Leafs in the
race for second place in the Atlantic division. With 77 points in 66
games, the Canadiens are a point behind the Leafs who have played 67
games. The Lightning meanwhile trail both teams, they have 75 points in
65 games.
Who's Out:
The Canadiens will get
a little boost to their lineup on Wednesday, but not the one most fans
are looking for. Brandon Prust (upper body) should be ready to return to
action but Carey Price (lower body) was ruled out until at least this
weekend. Michael Bournival (concussion) and Josh Gorges (hand) are also
out.
The Bruins are missing Dennis Seidenberg (knee), Adam McQuaid (leg) and Daniel Paille (concussion).
What Else:
It's
been a difficult week in the hockey world culminating with the death of
Terry Trafford, whose body was discovered Tuesday after he had been
missing for eight days. Trafford played for the Saginaw Spirit of the
OHL. Calgary Flames rookie Sean Monahan voiced his sympathy on Twitter:
Absolutely horrible news about Terry Trafford. Played with him and against in minor hockey. Great guy, prayers out to his family
— Sean Monahan (@Monahan20) March 11, 2014
Canadiens
prospect Tim Bozon is battling meningitis and has been placed in a
medically induced coma after his condition deteriorated rapidly. There
has been no update on his condition since March 8.Matt Stajan of the Flames and his wife Katie are dealing with the death of their newborn son, Emerson Stajan. The Flames forward has since taken a leave of absence from the team.
There was a scary moment in Dallas during the Stars - Blue Jackets game this week when Rich Peverley collapsed on the Stars bench. Thankfully, Peverley was swiftly tended to by the medical staff. He is now in stable condition and is undergoing tests to determine the exact cause of what has been called a cardiac incident.
The Question Mark:
Does Vanek earn his first point with the Habs tonight? How many points in a Canadiens uniform do you expect him to finish the season with?
Let us know what you think, leave a comment or send us a tweet by using the #MTLHockey hashtag on Twitter.
Be sure to tune into the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show an hour before the puck drop and the Post Game Show 5 minutes after the final siren. Join the live conversation by using the #MTLHockey hashtag on Twitter.
5 comments:
No. Not with Pleky and Gionta. Put him with Pax and DD and he'll get many! This way, the EGG line can be together, again, to get Eller going for the playoffs. My 2¢...
Have to agree with you, my top-3 would be the same with Briere playing beside Plek and Gio again (sit Bourque for now). The good news is that Vanek has been practicing with DD and Pac for the power play, won't be too long until they get put together at 5-on-5...I hope.
Plek-Gio-Briere, the vets have been solid if unspectacular. But solid defensively. No reason not to reunite a third-string EGG line. Only thing is that Vanek prefers LW, which is Patches slot.
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