Montreal Canadiens host Boston Bruins in game three of quarterfinals (preview)
The Montreal Canadiens will be hosting the Boston Bruins in game three of the Eastern Conference clash on April 18, 2011 at the Center Bell.
A physical and tough tie is expected. However, the series hasn’t proved to be fiercely competitive as yet, the results that have been witnessed been so far have been shocking to say the least.
The first two games of the series were played at the TD Garden, home of the Bruins, and saw the Canadiens winning both games. The first game saw the Canadiens winning easily 2-0, while the second game was close but in the end it was the away team that registered a 3-1 win.
Now that the series comes to the Canadiens home, they have a chance to win the series with two consecutive games in the Center Bell Arena.
The Canadiens stunned the Washington Capitals last season and they are on course for coming up with yet another upset this season. Last year, the Canadiens had a strong performance in the playoffs despite being behind the eighth seed. This season they are seeded sixth so it doesn’t come as a shock that they have gotten better.
What is shocking is that the Bruins being the third seed and having home advantage lost both initial games. Last time out the Canadiens had the talented Jaroslav Halak, who played a great role in Canadiens victory.
Considering the fact that the Bruins have one of the best goal keepers in the NHL, who performed very well during the regular season, and, that they are the fifth team to score most goals, it comes as a shock that they are 2-0 down.
With the home ice advantage in favour of the Canadiens there is great possibility that the Bruins will return home knocked out of the playoffs.
The Canadiens have the offence right where they want it, scoring crucial goals right when they want. Carey Price, goal keeper of the Canadiens has also done pretty well so far conceding only one goal in the series.
The Bruins, on the other hand, face the problem of not coming up with a strong defence at the start of the game. During game one, it took the Canadiens eight minutes to score and in game two the defence was vulnerable from the very first minute.
The Bruins say their weak defence is a problem and not that players such as, Zdeno Chara, are missing from the team, though they are an important members.
The series is getting out of hand for the Bruins and they have to win at least one game on away ice if they are to avoid an early exit.
However, the Canadiens are the favourites to win the series, as they are high on confidence after two away wins and playing the next two on home ice.
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