2011 NHL Playoff Predictions: Boston Bruins Will Sweep..Err Win in 5 Games

The much anticipated 2011 NHL Playoffs First Round match-up between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens begins tonight.

These teams have given us everything from a bench clearing brawl that saw the goaltenders drop the gloves to a possible lawsuit for a hip-check that didn't even result in a suspension.

I'm here to give you five reasons why the Bruins won't break a sweat dispatching their rivals from the north.

5. Home Ice Advantage

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 24: Boston Bruins fans cheere after a goal in the third period against the Montreal Canadiens on March 24, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 7-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Im

The NHL scheduling gods could not have lined up a better schedule for the Boston Bruins. The Bruins were a very mediocre home team this season, finishing with a 22-13-6 record. They lucked out with having their first two home games being played on a Thursday and Saturday night.

The Boston crowd is going to be fired up because there's nothing like playoff hockey heading into the weekend.  

Heading up north won't be a problem for the B's as they've proven they are road warriors, notching a 24-12-5 record away from TD Garden, which is one of the top road records in the NHL.

4. Defense

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MONTREAL, CANADA - DECEMBER 16: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins makes a pad save on the puck during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on December 16, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Ima

The Canadiens finished the season ranked 21st in Goals Per Game average. That doesn't bode well for them. Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas was ranked No. 1 in the league in Goals Against Average.

Montreal will be hard pressed to get more than 2 goals per game by Thomas.

Bruins captain, Zdeno Chara also led the league in Plus/Minus and averages a shade over 25 minutes per game.

Good luck getting by that duo.

3. Revenge

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BOSTON - MAY 14: Steve Begin #27 and Marc Savard #91 of the Boston Bruins congratulate Chris Pronger #20 and the rest of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on M

The Bruins still have a bad taste in their mouths after blowing a 3-0 series lead to the Philadelphia Flyers in last year's playoffs.

While that isn't necessarily the Canadiens fault, the Bruins are out to make a statement that they're over last year and out for blood this postseason.

2. Physicality

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BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 09: Gregory Campbell #11 of the Boston Bruins and Tom Pyatt #94 of the Montreal Canadiens fight in the third period on February 9, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bruins defeated the Canadiens 8-6. (Photo by Els

The Bruins are the toughest, most physical team in the NHL and luckily for them, Montreal might be the least physical.

Montreal relies on their quickness and speed to attack teams but the Bruins will be able to wear them down and force Montreal to go toe-to-toe with them.

That isn't in the best interest of the Canadiens and once they try and push back, they'll be run over.

1. Goaltending

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UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 11: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins tends net against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 11, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas will be receiving his second Vezina Trophy as the league's top goalie this season for the second time in three years.

We mentioned earlier how he leads the league in Goals Against Average and he is also the top goalie in save percentage and second in shutouts.

You can't win games if you can't score goals and don't expect too many to get by Tim Thomas.

Enjoy the First Round of the 2011 NHL Playoffs

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 5: Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Champioinship banners hang in the rafters during the game against the Carolina Panthers on February 5, 2006 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Hurricanes won 4-3 in a shootout. (Photo by Br

The NHL Playoffs are one of the most exciting times of the sports year with Spring in the air and intense hockey on TV.

Grab a few cases of beer, fire up the grill and enjoy the Bruins march towards the Stanley Cup.