The Bruins are rolling, and the Canadiens are on life support.
It's a staunch change from head coach Bruce Cassidy's days as a young B's fan.
"I pretty much can recite most of the games from '70 on," Cassidy said following today's morning skate. "So I've obviously had my heart broken a number of times over the years, especially the Yvon Lambert overtime goal [in the 1979 semifinals]. My mom let me stay up and watch the game — one of the very few times — and I wish she hadn't."
But Cassidy's team, which has collected points in 15 straight games for the first time since their Presidents' Trophy-winning 2013-14, could force their archrival to take at least one step into their grave with a victory in tonight's return to Montreal's Bell Centre.
With a win, the Bruins can move an absolutely insurmountable 18 points ahead of the Canadiens, and put the Habs potentially 11 points back of a playoff spot (depending on what happens with the East's two wild card teams, both of whom also play tonight).
"I don't think we're going into the game talking about that, but if it works out that way for us tonight at 10:30 when we're getting on plane going out of town, there's always a little extra satisfaction," Cassidy, whose team has won both head-to-heads this year, admitted. "I think some of our younger kids are still getting a taste of it. I think that last Saturday in here, DeBrusk and Charlie realized how loud and passionate the fans really are here. I don't know if [the Canadiens] are that way against Winnipeg or whoever, but I know when they're here against us it's loud and there's a little extra oomph."
Tuukka Rask is expected to get the start in net for the Bruins. Rask stopped 21-of-22 shots in a 4-1 win over the Canadiens this past Wednesday, and has garnered at least a point in 15 straight starts. He's recorded the most wins (13), best save percentage (.939), and second-best goals against average (1.65) in the NHL over that span.
Montreal (obviously) counters with Carey Price. The Bruins scored three goals on 31 shots against Price on Wednesday, and three on 32 in last week's shootout win. Price has lost four consecutive games to the Black and Gold dating back to last season.
Kevan Miller, who has missed the last two games because of an illness, while feeling better, is out once again tonight. Cassidy sounds as if he wants Miller to get a full practice under his belt before throwing him back into the lineup, and is respecting his current lineup, which has been rejuvenated with the return of Adam McQuaid.
Here are the expected lines and pairings for the Bruins…
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk - David Krejci - Ryan Spooner
Danton Heinen - Riley Nash - David Backes
Tim Schaller - Sean Kuraly - Noel Acciari
Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk - Adam McQuaid
Tuukka Rask
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