Bruins-Canadiens: Another Post-Season Clash

With the loss to Buffalo on Saturday night in Boston, the Bruins have guaranteed themselves a series against the Montreal Canadiens. No matter what happens in the Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh game on Sunday.

To play out the scenarios: Philly wins: the Flyers move up to sixth in the East knocking Boston to the 8th position and pushing Montreal into the 1st seed. Pittsburgh wins: Boston finishes in 7th and Montreal moves down to 2nd based on the wins tie-breaker. These results effect Boston regardless of a regulation or overtime result.

This match-up has brought some of the most entertaining hockey to the fans of the two rival cities, and the fans of hockey in general. The two teams hold the record for the most playoff match-ups between two teams with 30. The Habs hold a dominant 23-7 record in the history of the matchup.

This heated rivalry has been just as hot this year as in past years. Unfortunately for the Bruins, the Canadiens have put the regular series to sleep this year with a 8-0 record, going to overtime just once. The Habs have outscored the Bruins 38-16. Alexi Kovalev led the charge with 7 goals and 4 assists in 8 games.

Though the match-up was so one-sided during the regular season, the Bruins will play the Canadiens with a sense of purpose in the first round. The new-found leadership of David Krejci, and healthy Chuck Kobasew and Marc Savard could lead to an interesting series.

The Canadiens, of course, will have home-ice throughout the first round. However, as long as the big guns from Boston step up, and David Krejci continues on the path he's on now, the Bruins can take the series in 6. 

The Bruins have a grudge against the Canadiens from 2004. For those who may not remember, the Canadiens came back from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the first seeded Bruins. This year, the Bruins hold the underdog title. Let's hope for yet another amazing playoff series between the Yankees/Red Sox of hockey.