Faceoff Factor

Canadiens v Bruins Game Five Preview

Andrew Chiappazzi | National Hockey League

Apr 16, 11:48 PM | Hype this story!

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Canadiens (1) vs. Bruins (8) Game 5
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Series Score: Canadiens 3 – Bruins 1
Game Time: 7:00 EST
Location: The Bell Centre (Montreal)
Television: RDS, CBC

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Preview
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We celebrated the trap in the last post, saying the Bruins might turn the series around against Montreal behind Julien’s masterpiece of hockey strategy.

Oops.

Montreal turned the tables on Boston, winning a simple 1-0 that showed how entertaining hockey can be, even without the goals. Both teams played a fast, hard-hitting brand of hockey Tuesday night, but only Patrice Brisebois could light the lamp. Carey Price was outstanding, stopping all 27 shots to get the win, but he wasn’t tested in the final minutes. Montreal clamped down on an already weak Boston offense by not allowing a shot in the final 7 minutes.

Now the Habs smell blood. The Bruins are rudderless in the Playoff Ocean, and Montreal can punch their ticket to the next round with a win at home. However, if Boston can steal a win, TD Banknorth could be a veritable cauldron of insanity should there be a Game Six. And suddenly, with the home crowd behind them, the Bruins could be in a position to surprise Montreal.

More likely, though, is a finishing move by the Habs in this Game Five. It’s not likely that the lineups will change drastically, as both the Habs and Bruins will continue to be without some key contributors. Boston could be without defenseman Aaron Ward, who suffered a knee injury and did not practice. Montreal’s Mark Streit also missed practice, but he’ll likely at least attempt to play.
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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)