Faceoff Factor

Canadiens v Bruins Game 6 Preview

Andrew Chiappazzi | National Hockey League

Apr 18, 11:07 PM | Hype this story!

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Canadiens (1) vs. Bruins (8) Game 6
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Series Score: Canadiens 3 – Bruins 1
Game Time: 7:00 EST
Location: TD Banknorth Garden (Boston)
Television: RDS, CBC

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Preview
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We said this in the last game preview:
“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.”

We expect some sort of reward for being such wonderfully talented prognosticators. A Bruins series win and a match-up with the Penguins would be just fine.

Carey Price’s world has come crashing back down. Remember Marc-Andre Fleury’s remarkably idiotic move in the World Juniors? Price had a similar “gah!” moment in Game 5. Suddenly, a stupid turnover led to a 4 goal 3rd period blitz by the randomly potent Bruins. Suddenly, a “doh!” moment of the Nth variety has Montreal on their heels, walking into that veritable cauldron of insanity that we mentioned in the last little preview and pulled out to wave around up top.

This is the danger that Montreal was toying with when they traded Cristobal Huet to Washington. They entered the playoffs with a rookie goaltender as their best option between the pipes, and they best hope that Boston remembers they aren’t supposed to know how to score goals come Saturday night at the new Garden.

Boston found that beleaugered offense while keeping up the defensive pressure on the Habs. Maybe that will get the fans out in full strength. Surprisingly enough, Boston has not sold out a playoff game this year, with only a 94% capacity crowd on hand for Game 4. With blood in the water and an upset drifting into their nostrils, maybe the Bahstahn crowd will forgo the Red Sox for an evening and trickle into the TD Banknorth.

Phil Kessel returned to the lineup and contributed a goal, but the B’s might be without Aaron Ward for another game. Ward suffered a knee injury in Game 4. Meanwhile, Montreal called up Mathieu Carle to strengthen their D corps for Game 5. He did not skate but could be in the lineup for Game 6. Saku Koivu is a small possibility to return for Game 6, while Mark Streit is a stronger possibility.

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Injuries
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Boston: Bobby Allen (back spasms, day-to-day); Patrice Bergeron (concussion, day-to-day); Aaron Ward (knee, questionable)
Montreal: Francis Bouillon (ankle, day-to-day); Saku Koivu (broken foot, out); Mark Streit (hip, day-to-day)