Boston Bruins: 5 Players Who Need to Step Up to Beat the Canadiens

The Boston Bruins have never won a playoff series after losing the first two games of a series, but on Tuesday night they can eliminate their rival Montreal Canadiens in Game 6.

After losing the first two games of the series at home, the Bruins have won three straight to take a 3-2 series lead,with victories in Games 4 and 5 coming in overtime.

Despite the Bruins improved play after the first two games, there are several players who are not playing well and need to step up their game if the Bruins are to finish the job against the Canadiens.

So let's look at five players who must play better to ensure the Bruins advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals for a third straight season, starting with forward Milan Lucic.

Milan Lucic

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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 14: Milan Lucic #17 of the Boston Bruins steals the puck from Brian Gionta #21 of the Montreal Canadiens in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 14, 2011 in Bos

For most of the series, the Bruins top line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci and Nathan Horton had done nothing, and were not able to score goals.

Lucic has scored no goals and has dished out just one assist so far through five games against Montreal, after scoring 30 goals during the 2010-11 regular season.

Lucic should dominate teams like Montreal, who are much smaller than the Bruins.

Lucic needs to be more physical and provide some offense for the Bruins. He has 13 shots on goal in the series and is looking for offense.

He doesn't look tentative, he is being aggressive in the search for his first goal.

He looks a bit better with each game, but he must improve for the Bruins to advance to the second round.

Tomas Kaberle

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MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 18: Tomas Kaberle #12 of the Boston Bruins controls the puck at the blueline in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Montreal Canadiens during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on Apri

Tomas Kaberle was Boston's big midseason acquisition in 2011, filling the team's massive void of a puck moving defenseman.

Kaberle is no stranger to the Stanley Cup playoffs, but hasn't looked comfortable in this series.

But by the end of Game 5, it's apparent that he's getting more and more comfortable with each game.

"The first couple of games I could have been better. The last few games I felt a lot better and I'm feeling better confidence-wise, so I'll take it from there," Kaberle said in an ESPN Boston article updated on April 24.

Kaberle is important to the Bruins on offense because he's a big part of the power play, a unit that has really struggled in the series, having not scored a goal yet.

Daniel Paille

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MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 18: Daniel Paille #20 of the Boston Bruins jumps past a sprawling Montreal Canadiens players in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 18, 2011 in M

Daniel Paille has no points in five games versus Montreal and has a +/- rating of -2.

Paille is not a player Boston depends on for offense, but any added boost he can give them would be tremendous.

With the top line struggling, the lower lines have to produce. Michael Ryder has re-energized his lines with a couple important and spectacular goals this series, and Paille needs to do the same.

If Paille can contribute offensively, the Bruins will be in great shape, they need more production from their offense.

Too much of the late-game burden is being put on the defense and goalie Tim Thomas.

Mark Recchi

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MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 21: Mark Recchi #28 of the Boston Bruins skates in warmup before Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Montreal Canadiens during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre on April 21, 2011 in Mo

Mark Recchi has had a decent series thus far but he could still play a lot better. Despite being 42-years-old, Recchi is still a very good player and leader on the Bruins.

He is a good passer and plays the game very smartly.

Recchi has no goals and three assists in five games so far and needs to add more offensively to help the Bruins.

If Recchi could ignite the Bruins attack with the second line, along with center Patrice Bergeron, the Bruins could put away Montreal quickly with a fast start in Game 6.

Tim Thomas

I understand Tim Thomas has played brilliantly in this series, but he has to step up yet again in Game 6.

Thomas is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, an award given to the NHL's best goaltender, and he has played very well versus Montreal the last few games.

He stopped 44 of 45 shots in Game 5, including a season saving stop in double overtime in Game 5 (see video included).

Thomas must continue to play well because the Bruins are not scoring enough goals to feel comfortable in the third period.

Thomas has had to be perfect in the third period and overtime this series, and to his credit, he has.

But he needs to continue to do that, and I have no doubt he will.