Bruins, Canadiens meet for Game 7 in Montreal

The first Game 7 of the 2008 playoffs will take place tonight in Montreal, as the top-seeded Canadiens host the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre for the deciding game of this Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

The Canadiens are trying to avoid blowing a three games to one lead in a playoff series for the first time in the franchise's storied history. Montreal is 26-0 all-time in series when holding a 3-1 advantage, but has so far failed twice to close out this set against Boston.

The eighth-seeded Bruins, meanwhile, are 0-20 in series when trailing three games to one and this is the first time the club has ever forced a Game 7 when down 3-1.

Boston trailed, 2-1, after two periods in Game 6, but outscored the Habs, 4-2, in the final 20 minutes to notch a 5-4 victory at TD Banknorth Garden.

Phil Kessel had two goals in the comeback as the Bruins again used a big third period to help them stay alive in this series. In Game 5 on Thursday, Boston scored four goals in the third to win 5-1, and stave off elimination.

After playing in Game 1, Kessel was a healthy scratch in three straight games, but has rebounded to score three goals in Games 5 and 6.

Continued at My Sportsbook...