The Montreal Canadiens will try to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinals when they host the rival Boston Bruins, Monday April 18th, at Bell Centre. The Canadiens have won three of their last five meetings over the Bruins. NHL oddsmakers have the Bruins as slim -110 moneyline road favourites over the Canadiens (-105) with the over/under set at 5 goals. Be sure to check the Bruins vs Canadiens NHL Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
Boston (0-2) has never won a series when trailing 2-0, losing all 26 times they have been in this situation. been frustrated by Carey Price, as the Bruins have put just one of their 66 shots in the series past the Canadiens goaltender. Given, the Bruins played without top defenseman and team captain Zdeno Chara in Game 2 after he was hospitalized Friday night with dehydration. He skated in pre-game warm-ups on Saturday, but was then scratched from the lineup. "He deserves so much credit (for trying to play)," said Bruins head coach Claude Julien. (There was) no way in the world we could have used him." Chara is making the trip to Montreal, but he is still questionable for tonight's test. Patrice Bergeron provided the lone tally for the Bruins, who have dropped six straight postseason contests dating back to Game 4 of their 2010 conference semifinal series against the Flyers. Boston, of course, became just the third team in NHL history to blow a 3-0 series lead when it bowed out to Philadelphia in Game 7 last spring. Boston goaltender Tim Thomas allowed three goals on 26 shots in defeat. Thomas ended the regular season as the favorite to win the Vezina Trophy, but he has been outshined by Price so far in this series.
Montreal (2-0) goalie Carey Price made 31 saves in a 2-0 victory in the opener and stopped 34-of-35 shots in Saturday's 3-1 triumph at TD Garden. Montreal is hoping Mike Cammalleri can continue to generate offense. Cammalleri, who tied a club record for goals in a single postseason with 13 last spring, notched a goal and one assist to lead the Canadiens on offense in Game 2 and back the solid effort from Price. The Canadiens were without forward Andrei Kostitsyn in Game 2, as he sat out with a foot injury that was caused by a Chara slap shot in the opener. Kostitsyn, who had 20 goals and 45 points during the regular season is questionable for tonight. This is the 33rd playoff series between these two Original Six rivals. It is the most two teams have faced off in the playoffs and Montreal has won 24 of them. However, Boston has claimed five of the previous eight series and swept the Habs in four games the last time the two clubs met in the 2009 quarterfinals. Boston had a strong 24-12-5 mark as the visiting club in 2010-11.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Over is 1-0-3 in the last 4 meetings in Montreal.
Home team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
Bruins are 19-39 in the last 58 meetings.
Bruins are 7-21 in the last 28 meetings in Montreal.
Canadiens are 4-0 in their last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Canadiens are 5-0 in their last 5 games as an underdog.
Canadiens are 5-0 in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Canadiens are 5-1 in their last 6 overall.
Canadiens are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a home underdog.
Canadiens are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Bruins vs Canadiens
When: Monday, April 18, 7:30 PM ET
Pick: Canadiens -105
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The Bottom Line: The Bruins will play a harder game tonight. Be sure to check Bruins vs Canadiens Hockey Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
