The No.1 seed Boston Bruins will host the No.8 seed Montreal Canadiens tonight, April 16, in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoff race, for the 32nd time in franchise history, the most in the NHL. Last year the Canadiens knocked out the Bruins in seven, but this year the Bruins lead the Habs 5-1. NHL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Bruins as -230 moneyline favs over the Canadiens (+190) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals. Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com
The Canadiens lost their last four games to finish tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, but they held the tiebreaker over the Florida Panthers thus making the playoffs. They lost 12 of 15 games in late January and early February before firing Coach Guy Carbonneau, on March 9. Since Bob Gainey took over the Habs are 6-6-4. They finished with a 17-20-1-3 road record where they averaged 2.73 GAG and gave up an average 3.24 GAG. They are 2-3 in their last five road games where they’ve averaged 4.00 GAG and given up an average 3.20 GAG. Goalie Carey Price has been disappointing this year; he’s 23-16-4-6 this year with a 2.83 GAA and a .905 SVPCT. Carey Price is 3-7 in his last ten starts with a 2.80 GAA. The Habs are bringing in tough guy Georges Laraque after appearing in just 16 matches since the start of February. He has been a healthy scratch more often than not in the season's second half. The series between these two are going to be rough. The last time they met, the Bruins were penalized 15 times for 41 minutes, and Montreal was sent to the sin bin 12 times for 35 minutes. Alexei Kovalev leads the Habs with 65pts, 26 goals and Andrei Markov has 52 assists.
The Bruins finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference with 116pts. They lead the Canadiens 5-1 this season where they outscored the Habs 23-13. Goalie Tim Thomas has been great in net; he finished the season with a 36-11-3-4 record a 2.10 GAA along with five shutouts. Tim Thomas is 8-2 in his last ten starts with a 2.40 GAA. The Bruins are 29-6-4-2 at home where they average 3.73 GAG and give up an average 2.32 GAG. They are 5-0 in their last five home games where they’ve averaged 3.00 GAG and given up an average 1.40 GAG. Boston's Milan Lucic and Shawn Thornton will add even more zest to the Bruins toughness and offense. Marc Savard leads his team with 88pts, 63 assists, while Paul Kessel has 36 goals.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Home team is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
- Favorite is 24-11 in the last 35 meetings.
- Canadiens are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in Boston.
- Canadiens are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings.
- Bruins are 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
- Bruins are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a favorite of -201 or greater.
2009 NHL Playoffs Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens
When: Thurs, April 16, 2009 7:00 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Bruins -230
Point-Spreads.com 2009 NHL Playoffs Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens
The Bottom Line: The Bruins own the Habs this year and the Habs will be golfing in four. Go Bruins! Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit!
