Tonight's match up couldn't have come at a better time. The vast majority of Sox fans are ready to jump off the edge, Doc Rivers just announced that KG is pretty much out of the playoffs- but who cares? There's hockey to be played!
For the 32nd time, the Bruins take on the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Last year the Bruins barely made it into the playoffs and were stuck playing the Habs, who were one of the best teams on ice. We all remembers game 6, we remember the intensity and how the B's out scored the Habs. But we also remember the end of game 7. While Bruins fans sunk in their chairs and dreamed about next year – Habs fans attempted to burn the city down in celebration.
But things have changed, the roles are reversed and the B's are looking like they could win this one. The Bruins have a great mixture of youth with experience and experienced veterans, while the Habs are filled with purse snatchers, divers and wannabe Russian gangsters. Michael Ryder, who spend last year's playoffs riding the pine for the Habs, will be on the ice as one of the Bruins's top players. There's no need for Coach Claude Julien to scratch Phil Kessel to prove a point – Kessel is a year older, more mature, more experienced and the B's top goal scorer. What a difference a year makes.
Although, if there is one thing the Bruins are going to do, it's watch their emotions. Yeah, we want the B's to play to win and give their all. We want to see Looch show everyone who's boss and Thornton send some well wished to O'Byrnein the penalty box, but who wants to see them blow their proverbial load in the first round like Montreal did last year? You want them to go far and bring back some missing hardware to Boston. Who doesn't love the idea of skipping work to watch the guys roll down
Comm Ave in duck boats, while being accompanied by Lord Stanley's favorite beer stein? So the B's are going to have to ignore some of the Habs desperate attempts to get under their skin. Case in point, Georges Laraque will be suiting up for tonight's game. Old Georges, who is old and has been pretty much useless this season for Montreal, will be doing everything in his power to get under the skin of whoever will fall for his b.s. in a black & gold uniform. As Cornelius Hardenbergh said on twitter, 'Beat em on the scoreboard, let em get some penalties.'
Everyone has their own opinion about tonight's match up and the series in general. Greg Wyshynski, better known to you and me as Puck Daddy, gives it to the B's and gave us this gem when wondering about Montreal's goalie situation:
"It's assumed Price will get the majority of the work, but we'll see Jaroslav Halak at some point. Both have been about as solid as a game of Jenga being played by drunks wearing boxing gloves."
Bruins beat writer, Matt Kalman of The Bruins Blog compares the excitement to Steve Martin's enthusiasm over the new phone books. Remember when Martin was funny? Stanley Cup of Chowderbreaks it all down for you, Chris from HubHockey.com shared his predictions and revealed new shirts that are available to buy in honor of the playoffs.WickedBruinsFans gives her opinion on tonight's match up. Jesse Connelly talks about the potential lines and changes for tonight's game. If you're interested on what the other side is thinking, check out 25stanley.com . They're ready to tell us and everyone why the B's and their fans suck. It's actually really funny and I love the site, when I can understand it. And finally, Joe Haggerty was able to get some great blackboard material from Georges.
So that's it. Now all we can do is wait and see. Me? I'll be watching the game and twittering my thoughts and have a full re-cap in the morning. Oh yeah, Bruins in 6.
