Round One: Montreal @ Boston

Who will win and why?

I see Boston winning but these series are always long. I predict 6!

On paper, Boston should smoke the Habs.

But Les Canadiens seem to hold a play-off mastery over them comparable to the Leafs over the Sens.

I think Boston will win, but I doubt it'll be a sweep.

I think Boston has every angle covered. From D to forwards to goaltending. Even if Thomas falters, Fernandez should be fine considering what's in front of him.

Boston is 5. I'll give the Habs a game at home.

Who will win? - Boston
Why? - Because they are a much, much better team.

Vezina, Norris, Adams are all likely ending up in Boston this year. Montreal are lucky they're getting two home dates. I'm struggling to find reasons why this could go longer than a sweep.

Edit: I had actually gone with Boston in 5.

Bob Gainey Vs Claude Julien...and all the rest of the reasons. Should be a terrific series. Bruins in 7.

Dave, I've got to ask -- what makes you think it will go 7? Just hoping for a long, entertaining series? Putting up one game like the did is one thing, but can the Habs withstand this kind of physical punishment every second day for two weeks? And what about the rumours of Schneider requiring surgery? If those are remotely true, then it's one thing to come back for one game and play sparingly (they dressed 7 D, didn't they?) but quite another to continue to do this in a playoff series. Plus what we saw last Thursday was Thomas at close to his worst, and they still lost.

As I said before, I'm honestly struggling to find a reason why the Habs could even win one. Even if the ghosts finally moved to the new location, are they eveni in game shape, after a 13 lay-off?

Boston in 5. I see the Habs pulling one of a hat.

This is the second season. All team stats are reset to 0. Is Boston powerful. Yup, you bet they are. Can Montreal shock an opponent, especially over up to 7 games, again, Yup, you bet they can.

If this series goes to 7, I believe the victor shall be Montreal

Boston in 6. Montreal will continue to lack goalie support and Boston will make it a hard series for them.

Price will poop the bed (again) and Thomas will WILL the team to victory!

wprager wrote:Dave, I've got to ask -- what makes you think it will go 7? Just hoping for a long, entertaining series? Putting up one game like the did is one thing, but can the Habs withstand this kind of physical punishment every second day for two weeks? And what about the rumours of Schneider requiring surgery? If those are remotely true, then it's one thing to come back for one game and play sparingly (they dressed 7 D, didn't they?) but quite another to continue to do this in a playoff series. Plus what we saw last Thursday was Thomas at close to his worst, and they still lost.

As I said before, I'm honestly struggling to find a reason why the Habs could even win one. Even if the ghosts finally moved to the new location, are they eveni in game shape, after a 13 lay-off?

Prags, there are more than a few reasons...

One: Bob Gainey. These are not Carbo's Cuties. The players believe in what he says, and Gainey knows more about winning hockey games the ugly way than both teams put together.

Two: the Bruins really, really, really, hate the Habs. If they don't control their emotions, Montreal will use Boston's testosterone against them. The PP with Schneider is still dangerous.

Three: the enigmas of Le Canadien. Alexei Kovalev and Carey Price. Two players who can win a game by being extraordinary. And there are the mysterious Flying Kostitsyns.

Four: Les plombiers. Montreal has some guys who no one notices...like Metropolit, Kostopoulos, and D'Agostini. They play greasy. And they can score, too.

Five: Every Boston-Montreal game is an act of war. Only warriors need apply.

Yes, Boston could end this early...if they manage to win the first three. IF.

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should be a rough and tumble series, which is not good for Montreal as they are hurting all ready, Boston is going to be looking to embarrass this team as they are now the favourites, anything more than 5 games will be a miracle for Montreal, they just don't cut it against these Killer B's

davetherave wrote:One: Bob Gainey. These are not Carbo's Cuties. The players believe in what he says, and Gainey knows more about winning hockey games the ugly way than both teams put together.

Gainey can only do so much. It's not in the character of the players on the team to win ugly. They're a team whose bread and butter is in clever passing and now they've lost their best initiator of that in Markov. Against Boston's blue-line of behemoths, the only way they'll be able to survive IMO is by beating them with speed and skill, and that's harder to pull off in the playoffs.

SensFan71 wrote:should be a rough and tumble series, which is not good for Montreal as they are hurting all ready, Boston is going to be looking to embarrass this team as they are now the favourites, anything more than 5 games will be a miracle for Montreal, they just don't cut it against these Killer B's

A delegation has already been sent to the Oratoire Saint Joseph asking for a miracle LOL...

Seriously, when was the last time a Montreal-Boston playoff series went less than six games?

Answer: 1992.

Since then, the teams have met four times, and each series has gone at least six games, with three going the distance.

For your information and amusement:

http://icehockey.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_Boston_Bruins-Montreal_Canadiens_playoff_series

Far from your average playoff matchup.
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And remember, the Bruins have to win in Le Centre Bell if they want to finish this in less than seven. Not an easy task.