Thursday, May 8, 2014

Playoff Preview: Canadiens vs Bruins (Round 2, Game 4)

8:35 AM  Unknown  4 comments

HabsBruinsPlayoffs 
Match Up:

The Canadiens - Bruins series stays in Montreal for Game 4 Thursday night. The Habs took a 2-1 series lead with a 4-2 win at the Bell Centre on Tuesday. Game 4 is set to start at 7:30 and airs on RDS and CBC.

The Canadiens went up by as many as 3 goals in Game 3, and for the first time this series, they didn't give up their third period lead to the Bruins, hanging on for a 4-2 win. Dale Weise picked up his second game winning goal in these playoffs while Daniel Briere picked up his third assist on a game winning goal.

What to Watch:

PK Subban has racked up 6 points in 3 games versus the Bruins and 10 points career playoff points against the Bruins in 10 games. Lars Eller's strong playoffs continued with an assist and an empty net goal in Game 3 after being held pointless the game before for the first time this postseason. Eller is up to 3 goals and 5 assists in 7 games.

Milan Lucic comes into Thursday's match on a 5-game point streak, he has 3 goals and 3 assists in that span. Patrice Bergeron extended his point streak to 7 games with a goal on Tuesday, his 9 points put him 8th in playoff scoring.

What's at Stake:

The Canadiens are 3-and-0 in home playoff games so far. They'll need another win on Bell Centre ice Thursday to hold onto home ice advantage. While a win for the Bruins would tie the series at 2, it would shift the advantage back to them as the series returns to Boston on Saturday.

Who's Out:

Alex Galchenyuk (knee) is still out for the Canadiens. Brandon Prust missed Game 3 although if he is injured, he's played through the injury for 6 games already in these playoffs.

The Bruins are still missing Dennis Seidenberg (lower body), Adam McQuaid (ankle) and Chris Kelly (back).

What Else:

Goal celebrations have been a hot storyline in this series. It started in Game 1 with Milan Lucic and Torey Krug celebrating a third period goal by beating their chest and the Bruins logo on it. Dale Weise answered the celebration back on Bell Centre ice after his breakaway goal put the Canadiens ahead 3-0 in Game 3. Meanwhile PK Subban's celebration for his out-of-the-box breakaway goal has been replayed almost as often as the goal itself.

The Question Mark:

How do expect the Bruins to react in Game 4 and how will that affect the Habs' game-plan?

Let us know what you think, leave a comment or send us a tweet using the #MTLHockey hashtag on Twitter. Tune in to the Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show to hear the answers.

The Montreal Hockey Talk Pregame Show starts an hour before puck drop, join the live conversation by using the #MTLHockey hashtag on Twitter. And don't miss the Post Game Show starting 5 minutes after the final siren.

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4 comments:

The Habs need Price to continue to play hard. With both deflection goals coming off HIGH point shots, its clear the Bruins are not changing their strategy nor do I expect them to. Murray did a good job of clearing the crease, if anything. I would still prefer Tinordi who can do the same thing AND skate, but it is what it is.

Seems the Habs outplay them in the first two periods, even if the shots don't always reflect that. So long as they don't go into protect mode in the third and therrien matches his lines well, Montreal can win this one again.

The Boston Globe calls Bruins fans selling the PK Porch Monkey TShirts outside their arena both "Innocent " and says America has "Freedom of Speech" what do Canadians have..

@Guy Smith, I saw that as well, not only does that make Bostonians Racist but their Media too.

If u didn't already know, then u know now. Boston is the most biggoted city in the US. If this is true then where the hell is Bettman. Oh ya, having a snugglefest with Jeremy Jacobs. Screw Boston!!!!

The OT goal was just one of those things. Bad bounce, Price just missing it to cover it & Murray letting Fraser go.

What the Cdns need is for the Gionta line to get their asses moving. & where has Pacoretti gone?

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