Canadiens vs Bruins Game 3 Preview

Andrew Chiappazzi | National Hockey League

Apr 13, 01:42 AM | Hype this story!
 

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Canadiens (1) vs. Bruins (8) Game 3
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Series Score: Canadiens 2 – Bruins 0
Game Time: 7:00 EST
Location: TD Banknorth Garden (BOSTON)
Television: NESN, RDS, CBC

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Preview
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They may be down 2-0 in the series, but the Boston Bruins are coming home with a bit of a small victory in their hands: They have found a chink in the armor of the top seeded Canadiens. A game after being dominated 4-1, the Battlin’ Bruins did the scrappy things in their 3-2 OT loss.

A list of those scrappy stats:
More shots (39-31 Boston)
More forced giveaways (Habs with 28, B’s with just 11)
A 33-30 Faceoff edge.

Oh, and one other big thing that was revealed: Montreal got a bit lackadaisical as they came into the third period, so they can be caught off guard, as evidenced by Boston dropping in 2 goals within the first ten minutes. Yes, Boston, we realize you’re a defensive and trap oriented team, but the goal of the game is to score more points than the other team. Take what was learned in that ten minute stretch and from the stats above, mix in a little home-cooking at the TD Garden, and maybe, just maybe Boston can get back in this thing.

For Les Habitants, the message of Game Two is simple. If you get out ahead in Game Three, floor it. Don’t ease up; put treadmarks all over the Bruins jerseys. Take advantage of another game without Dennis Wideman on the ice for the Bruins and attack, attack, attack. Plus, with the Bruins believing Phil Kessel can’t stand up to your attack and physicality, continue to possess the puck like madmen. That’ll get the vaunted power play in action and from there it’s just a death sentence for the Bruins.
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Injuries
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Boston: Bobby Allen (back spasms, day-to-day); Patrice Bergeron (concussion, day-to-day)
Montreal: Francis Bouillon (ankle, day-to-day); Saku Koivu (broken foot, out)

Comments

  1. Ashley Gallant

    Apr 13, 10:32 AM

    I watched last night’s game, and the Bruins definitely took it to the Habs all night long. The Habs were disorganized and their PP was horrible. I couldn’t count the times they missed passes that allowed the Bruins to clear the zone and/or start a rush.

    I give Thomas a ton of credit because while the first goal was really bad, he was solid the rest of the way. He stoned Kovalev on a breakaway, which angered Kovalev so he did them a favour by taking a stupid penalty to put the Habs down 2 players and allowing the Bruins to even the score.

    One of the most exciting moments, however, was very late in the 3rd period when the Habs were on the PP. With literally 0.1 seconds left, Patrice Brisebois hit the post. Both Thomas and Brisebois were laughing to kill themselves after that one. It definitely woke everyone up.

    In any case, tonight’s game should be good. I don’t think the Habs will take another little vacation because I think they learned their lesson last night. I also think that the Bruins learned that they can have a shot at beating the Habs for the first time this season.

    [Go Habs]

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