The Montreal Canadiens are hoping to make it a third win a row as they prepare to host the Boston Bruins in a rare Monday night game at the Bell Centre. The Montreal Canadiens to lead the Atlantic division and NHL with 41 points while the Bruins sit third in the division with 32 points. The Bruins will be hoping to get back into the ‘W’ column having lost their last three games (0-2-1), the most recent a 4-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
For the Bruins, goaltender Tuukka Rask had been enjoying a terrific season but has let in ten goals in his last three games. Despite that, he is still sporting an excellent 1.85 goals against average and .930 save percentage. He is likely to get the start in net this evening but as the Bruins do not have a pregame skate, and lineup news will be announced later in the day. At the Bruins practice on Sunday, their lines looked like:
#NHLBruins practice lines:
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 11, 2016
Marchand-Bergeron-Backes
Schaller-Vatrano-Krejci-Pastrnak
Heinen-Spooner-Czarnik-Hayes
Moore-Nash-Acciari
There will be no roster changes for the Canadiens and why would there be after winning their past two games by a combined score of 15-3. Michael McCarron and Mark Barberio will have to wait another day to get into the lineup as Michel Therrien will not touch a winning lineup that has played so well. As expected, Carey Price will get the start in goal. The Canadiens offense has certainly come alive the past two games and tonight’s match will be an opportunity to prove that it was not an anomaly. Captain Max Pacioretty has led the way with five goals and an assist but the Canadiens have been getting contributions from up and down the lineup, the defense included. The lines will remain the same:
The Canadiens Foundation annual teleradiothon will take place tonight! If you are able, please consider donating. Details here:
As part of the RadioTéléDON #ourGOALtoASSIST : give... and receive! -> https://t.co/PVErRGZOh8 pic.twitter.com/EgrbjNgjsL
— CHC - Fondation (@CHCFondation) December 12, 2016
Five questions for tonight’s game:
1) Will the Canadiens offense come back down to reality or will they be able to score more than three goals?
2) Tuukka Rask has traditionally struggled against the Canadiens. Will he be able to snap his losing streak and perform like he has for the better part of this season?
3) Shea Weber was one of three Canadiens players to go without a point against the Avalanche on Saturday night. He is now without a point in his past six games. Is tonight the night he registers a point?
4) Which special teams unit of the Canadiens will have the better night against the Bruins?
5) What will be the final score?
Cheers & follow along! Follow @Jenbcutler