The NHL's Second Round Matchups are among the most intriguing we have seen in years, but NOTHING compares to this one. We are once again blessed to get to witness Montreal and Boston. Let's get right to it!
Head to Head this Year.
There is no doubt this rivalry has been Montreal's game. And this year was no exception. The Habs went 3-1 against the Bruins, holding Boston to only a single goal in each of their wins and winning both games in Boston...
Last Three Years...
Over the last three seasons however these teams have met 14 times with Montreal taking 8 and Boston 6. The most notable aspect of those matchups? Low scoring hockey. Montreal has scored only 32 goals and Boston only 30. That is an average score of Montreal 2.28, Boston 2.14. And in actuality, the teams played one crazy 6-5 Shootout game late in the season last year. If you took that one anomaly away the average score of a Habs/Bruins Game over the last three seasons is Montreal 2.07 Boston 2.
Playoffs All-Time:
Montreal has won 102 games and Boston has won 68. But that numbers is a bit deceiving... in the REALLY old days Montreal won several series in a row but over the last twenty years Boston has won 20 playoff games and Montreal 18 and each team has won 3 series.
The Ek Factors:
These Bruins are REALLY good. I know that sounds trite, but it's the truth.. Many believed the Red Wings could upset them, and after Detroit took Game 1 it looked bleak...for about a second. This Bruins team has it all, and they have experience on top of it. They won't be rattled by the multitudes of ghosts surrounding them in this series. Not a chance.
These Canadiens are crafty....and streaky. They have at times this year looked absolutely terrible, about to implode terrible, but when they look good, they look amazing. And right now they look good. Price is always the biggest factor, especially given the fact he has been so strong against the Bruins this year.
The regular season is one thing, but I am not sold it carries over to a Bruins team that knows the difference between a game in January and a game in May.
This will be a fun one.
My pick: Bruins in 6
Hart Finalists Announced.
The NHL has announced the Hart Finalists and they are pretty much dead on...
Crosby, Getzlaf, Giroux.