Ann 22008 NHL Playoffs - Round 1: Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins Game 1 Preview
April 10th 2008 21:56
Apparently, for a lot of Montreal old-timers, a Bruins-Canadiens series is confirmation that spring time is here. The 2008 series will be the 31st confrontation between the the two teams. Montreal won 23 times. Will this be the 24th?
At the beginning of the 2007-2008 season, most experts had predicted that both teams wouldn't make the playoffs. The Bruins' starting goaltender Manny Fernandez had had surgery and the rest of the team was average at best. Montreal hadn't made any major acquisitions during the off-season and had failed to resign Sheldon Souray. It was basically a team of kids with a couple veterans here and there.
82 games later, the Bruins finished 8th in the Eastern Conference, almost passing the mighty Ottawa Senators and the Canadiens led by a resurgent Alex Kovalev finished first with 104 points.
The two teams confronted each other eight times, with Montreal winning all eight. However, the playoffs are a new season, and the Habs should be careful and not fall into overconfidence.
The Bruins have a chance for revenge. If they want to win these series, they'll have to be discplined and play at their best level. They should also find a way to slow down the superfast Canadiens. All the Bruins have to do is win one game to get their confidence up.
The Canadiens, on the other hand, only have to keep playing their game. Carey Price should keep his cool, and the defense has to get involved in both ways of the rink. The good news is that “the Beast” Mike Komisarek is back from an hip injury and so, the Habs can count on their most physical player to block shots, hit some players, and clean up the front of the net. The bad news is that both “the Bull” Francis Bouillon and the other “Beast,” rookie Ryan O'Byrne won't play (Bouillon is injured). Old and soft Patrice Brisebois will take his place.
The Bruins won't give these series to the Habs. Montreal will have to work hard to stay on top.
At the beginning of the 2007-2008 season, most experts had predicted that both teams wouldn't make the playoffs. The Bruins' starting goaltender Manny Fernandez had had surgery and the rest of the team was average at best. Montreal hadn't made any major acquisitions during the off-season and had failed to resign Sheldon Souray. It was basically a team of kids with a couple veterans here and there.
82 games later, the Bruins finished 8th in the Eastern Conference, almost passing the mighty Ottawa Senators and the Canadiens led by a resurgent Alex Kovalev finished first with 104 points.
The two teams confronted each other eight times, with Montreal winning all eight. However, the playoffs are a new season, and the Habs should be careful and not fall into overconfidence.
The Bruins have a chance for revenge. If they want to win these series, they'll have to be discplined and play at their best level. They should also find a way to slow down the superfast Canadiens. All the Bruins have to do is win one game to get their confidence up.
The Canadiens, on the other hand, only have to keep playing their game. Carey Price should keep his cool, and the defense has to get involved in both ways of the rink. The good news is that “the Beast” Mike Komisarek is back from an hip injury and so, the Habs can count on their most physical player to block shots, hit some players, and clean up the front of the net. The bad news is that both “the Bull” Francis Bouillon and the other “Beast,” rookie Ryan O'Byrne won't play (Bouillon is injured). Old and soft Patrice Brisebois will take his place.
The Bruins won't give these series to the Habs. Montreal will have to work hard to stay on top.
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