The Bruins start the quest for the Cup again tonight against the Canadiens. This is the third time in four years the Bruins have faced the Canadiens in the first round. They forced a game seven in 2008 as the #8 seed and lost in the finale. In 2009 they reversed positions where the B’s were the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference and they swept Montreal in four games. Now in 2011 they’ll face again this time as the #3 and #6 seeds.
How’s it going to play out?
Well, we won’t see a game like the one where the Bruins beat up the Canadiens on February 9th and won 8-6. I’m also going to assume it’s not going to be like the 7-0 smackdown the Bruins laid on Montreal on March 24th. In between the two was the Pacioretty game that the Bruins lost 4-1.
So which Bruins team is going to show up in the playoffs? The one that dominated the Canadiens in those two games where they combined for 15 goals, or the team that got run over by Montreal in the other meetings?
I’m going to go with the team that put up the 15 goals. The fact that it’s Montreal has some fans scared heading into the playoffs. To quote Da Guy, “I’m not worried”.
Unlike last year where they had their top center coming back from injury (too soon) the team has their pieces ready for the playoffs. Call it the anti-Celtics. Thomas had a career year again and should get his second Vezina trophy. The team should be able to piggyback Thomas and ride him to victory.
I’m not predicting how far the Bruins will go this postseason but I am predicting that they’ll get through Montreal. I think the Bruins are too physical for the Canadiens to handle. So barring stupid officials falling for the blatant diving that’s going to occur north of the boarder, I say the Bruins win the series 4-1.
