Habs vs Bruins Playoff Betting?
Canadiens on the Brink – Hope to Stay Alive in Boston Monday Night
The Boston Bruins can end their second round series with the Montreal Canadiens Monday night but they will have to do so on enemy ground – at the Bell Center where they won Game 4 but have struggled the last couple of seasons.
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Boston (31-21-4-6) at Montreal (52-30-6-3)
When: 7:30 PM ET, Monday, May 12, 2014
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
Broadcast: CBC, RDS, NBCSN
Bruins lead series 3-2
Bruins vs. Habs Betting Lines
In Canada? Try Pinnacle Sportsbook
Boston Bruins -1½ +225 -129 Ov 5 -105
Montreal Canadiens +1½ -265 +117 Un 5 -105
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Boston rides the only two game win streak of the series into Montreal – ramping up their play as the series has worn on. Montreal definitely won`t go down easy – they have a ton of hate for Boston and a lot of motivation to send their rabid home town fans home happy.
The Boston Bruins keep getting it done in the absence of a strong effort from their top line.
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Carl Soderberg, Loui Eriksson and Matt Fraser combined for six points in Game 5 while Lucic, Krejci and company continue to be underwhelming. We all knew that Boston`s depth would be a factor against Montreal but there is now way that anyone could have predicted that Matt Fraser would be arguably the biggest difference maker in the series.
The big names have yet to impress – credit the Canadiens with the right game plan to slow the top two lines down – the trick now is to find something to keep Boston`s third line off the score sheet.
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Tuukka Rask`s game has also turned the corner after a slow start to the series. He is 2-0-0 in his last two starts with a 0.99 GAA and .969 save percentage – more like the Rask we have come to expect and less like the Rask that reared its ugly head in the first three games of the series.
The Montreal Canadiens have to be disappointed with their performance in Game 5 – they blew their chance to come home and clinch a third round playoff date. For once, Montreal fell behind early and was unable to mount a comeback – Boston style.
The power play was an issue in Game 5 – the Habs had their share of chances with the extra man but were unable to convert until the end of the game – when it was too late. But in typical Montreal style – nobody is panicking ahead of Game 6.
At risk of sounding like a broken record, Montreal MUST get some contributions from their top dogs. Max Pacioretty had an assist in Game 5 but has struggled, David Desharnais has been disappointing and Thomas Vanek was indirectly responsible for three of Boston`s goal (he was in the penalty box for two and a turnover led to another). Brian Gionta and Rene Bourque are each pointless in their last four games – it has been the PK Subban show for Montreal with little support from the rest!
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• BOS are 7-2 in their last 9 vs. Atlantic.
• Over is 21-8-3 in BOS last 32 road games.
• Over is 15-6-7 in BOS last 28 vs. Atlantic.
• Over is 8-1-2 in MON last 11 vs. Atlantic.
• Over is 6-1-2 in MON last 9 overall.
• Over is 6-1-2 in MON last 9 vs. Eastern Conference.
The Montreal Canadiens have been the underdog in all five games of the series so far and despite losing Game 5 there is still an air of confidence surrounding this squad. This series was always destined to go 7 games – I think the Habs do their part and send it back to Boston for the deciding game. Montreal`s crowd will be a factor Monday as one of the more intriguing second round series charges on!
Pick: Montreal Canadiens +117
