2008 NHL Playoffs: Bruins Fall Again, But How About Those Flames?

After losing all eight of their meetings to the Montreal Canadiens during the regular season, the Boston Bruins looked bad in the opener of the playoffs.

Surprisingly, the Bruins played the Canadiens tough for the third straight game after losing those first nine.

Unsurprisingly, the B's came up short--yet again, and have lost 11 of 12, including the playoffs, to their long-time nemesis in 2007-08.

On Tuesday, Boston fell by the slimest of margins, 1-0, in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals and now trail the mighty Habs three games to one.

Can't blame Bruins netminder Tim Thomas on this one.

Thomas, who finished with 27 saves, nearly matched Montreal rookie goaltender Carey Price, but allowed veteran Patrice Brisebois' power-play goal with only 42 ticks remaining in the second period.

That was the difference in the game.

Fittingly, the winning goal was scored with the man advantage, as the Habs have been deadly in such situations all year long. (If you remember, Game Two in Montreal had also been decided on a power play that was called in extra time, when Alexi Kovalev won it.)

Price stopped all 27 shots directed his way for his first career playoff shutout, and was named the first star.

Positives for the Bruins despite being down 3-1?

The Bruins have held the league's top power play (24.2% in the regular season) to just 2 goals in 20 opportunities in the first four games.

Thomas has been brilliant, holding the league's second-highest scoring team (257 during the season) to just nine goals.

Unfortunately, the Bruins just haven't been able to put the puck in the net, and have lost their second one-goal game in the series.

And those two power-play goals by the Habs? Both were game-winners. Ouch. Talk about getting 'em when they count.

The Bruins could be eliminated as early as Thursday night at the Bell Centre.

And since the Bruins traded away Andy Moog after the 1992-93 season, they have won only two playoff series. Thomas appears destined to join the likes of Blaine Lacher, Bill Ranford, Byron Dafoe, and Andrew Raycroft in losing first-round series for the B's.

Sure, I wanted the Bruins to win Tuesday's game, but really, this Boston-Montreal rivalry has lost a lot of its luster over the years.

After many changes in the mid-90s, the rivalry just doesn't seem the same anymore. The old Adams Division is gone. Both teams have since moved out of their old buildings, namely the Boston Garden and Montreal Forum, and these corporate-named arenas--whose names have already changed several times for both sides--just don't work for me.

And the Bruins have already exceeded my expectations by winning one game so far. (I had picked Montreal to win in four straight.)

But for the rest of the Bruins fans out there, what do you think?

I guess the one consolation would be that this was the exact situation the Canadiens were in during the 2004 playoffs. The Habs lost the first two to the Bruins, won Game Three, before losing the fourth one in heart-breaking fashion. Andrew Raycroft, then a rookie in the Bruins' net, looked unbeatable.

Yet, the Canadiens came back and won three straight.

Could the 2008 Bruins return the favor?

I just don't see it happening, but wanted to throw it out there in case there are still any more Bruins believers out there.

Actually, if you're a Canadiens fan--I know there are lots of you out there on Bleacher Report--I'd like to hear from you as well. Could this be Montreal's year? Well, let's just say for the BR Conn Symthe Contest, Carey Price was my pick, so there...

Interestingly, I have been known to dish out hits on Bleacher Report, lashing out at teams that I don't like (the Canucks, the Green Bay Packers, for example).

I don't like the Canadiens, but at least I know they're good. The 2007-08 Habs won't be getting any abuse from me.

I promise.

And is there any franchise out West that has been as star-crossed as the Calgary Flames?

Tuesday night was the perfect chance to bury the San Jose Sharks.

After all, the Flames were up two games to one going in, and the stunning Game Three comeback could have been a huge morale booster for Calgary the rest of the series.

Yet, after being up 2-1 after 40 minutes in Game Four--with captain Jarome Iginla getting a goal and an assist--the Flames fell victim this time to a rally by the visitors.

San Jose scored twice in the last five minutes of regulation, including Joe Thornton's game-winner with 9.4 seconds remaining.

It was Thornton's first goal of the series. Yup, the same Thornton whom I've been labelling a playoff choker for years--who finally came up big. (Where were those goals when he was in a Bruins uniform?)

The Sharks outshot the Flames 32-10 for the game, including 14-3 in the decisive 20 minutes.

Losing late in heart-breaking fashion is nothing new for the Flames franchise.

Calgary has been eliminated in overtime in the finales in 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 2007. And since winning the Cup in 1989, the Flames have gotten past the first round only once (in 2004).

I still see the Flames falling short again in Game Seven in extra time to the Sharks.

But I hope they'll prove me wrong.