The Boston Bruins have a 2-0 lead over the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference playoffs as the action heads north into Canada tonight, April 20. The Bruins have now beaten the Habs seven straight and have won their last two games in Montreal. NHL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Bruins as -135 moneyline road favs over the Canadiens (+115) with the over/under set at 5.5 points. Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com
The Bruins have the Habs figured out after outscoring them 9-3 in two games. In their last meeting the Bruins went 3 for 5 on the power play and their penalty kill stopped the Habs one and only power play. In game 2 they got goals from Marc Savard, Chuck Kobasew, Shane Hnidy, Marc Savard and Michael Ryder. Goalie Tim Thomas has been great stopping a combined 56 of 59 shots for a 1.50 GAA. Marc Savard and Phil Kessel lead the Bruins with two goals apiece, while Micheal Ryder, Chuck Kobasew, Zdeno Chara, Shane Hindy and David Krejci have each wrinkled the back of the net. Tough guy Milan Lucic has been suspended for tonight’s game due to a crosscheck to the head of Maxim Lapierre. Lucic has two assists and leads his team with 29 penalty minutes. Bruins defenseman Steve Montador acknowledged that losing Lucic for any period of time would be a blow. "Well, he brings a lot to our team," Montador said. "He's a powerful player. He works hard in the offensive zone, gets on the defense and he's a good guy in the locker room, so it will be a tough loss but we've had guys coming in and out of the lineup a lot since I've been here and even all year. And that's what it takes to win in the playoffs."
The Canadiens weaknesses are showing. Goalie Carey Price is not the super hero he was last year in the playoffs. He’s allowed nine goals on 64 shots for a 4.82 GAA. He was pulled in game 2 after allowing five goals by the second period and they are unsure which goalie will start tonight. The lone goal scorer for the Habs, in game 2, was Alexei Kovalev, while their top leaders in the two games combined are Alexei Kovalev with two and Christopher Higgins with one. They don’t have a goal on the power play in two games or three tries, and their penalty kill has allowed six goals in two games or nine kills. The Canadiens have yet to hold a lead through the first two games of the series. Center Tomas Plekanec, defenseman Patrice Brisebois and right wing Matt D'Agostini were all taken out of the lineup Saturday and replaced with right wing Sergei Kostitsyn and rookie defenseman Yannick Weber.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Bruins are 7-0 in the last 7 meetings.
- Home team is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
- Over is 7-3-1 in the last 11 meetings.
- Bruins are 7-20-1 in the last 28 meetings in Montreal.
- Bruins are 4-1 in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
- Bruins are 23-6 in their last 29 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- Canadiens are 0-6 in their last 6 playoff games as an underdog.
- Canadiens are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
2009 NHL Playoffs Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens
When: Mon, April 20, 2009 7:00 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Bruins -135
Point-Spreads.com 2009 NHL Playoffs Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens
The Bottom Line: The Bruins are doing what you’re supposed to do in the playoffs, hit hard and connect on the power play. They have a great goalie up against the Habs weak offense and power play. 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!
