Preview: Bruins host Canadiens for Original Six showdown

Folks, it’s a Saturday and the TD Garden will host an Original Six game! In honor of the 1986–2000 teams, the Boston Bruins welcome the Montreal Canadiens to their “New Blood, New Beginnings” Era.

The Bruins and Canadiens will play each other three times this season. This season, the B’s are 1-0-1 versus them. On November 18, the Bruins defeated Montreal, 5-2, after losing to them 3-2 in overtime on November 11.

Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, James van Riemsdyk, and Charlie McAvoy all had at least one point in each of the Bruins’ games against Montreal, while Pavel Zacha scored a goal in each. Nick Suzuki is the only Habs player who has scored a point in both contests.

The Canadiens are 2-2-1 in their last five games. They last played on Thursday, losing 6-2 to the Ottawa Senators. Caufield is on a five-game point streak and four-game goal streak with four goals and three assists during that time.

The Bruins enter tonight’s game on three consecutive wins as they’ve really ramped up offensive zone coverage and continue to build their game. Jim Montgomery has said he believes this sample of games has been the team’s best. He’s seen the biggest takeaway is less odd-man rushes given up, he told reporters yesterday.

Pastrnak just keeps doing Pastrnak things. His three-goals on Thursday has him on a three-game point streak with four goals and three assists. And it obviously helps his line is clicking as well.

Compared to the Montreal Canadiens, the Boston Bruins are superior on special teams in terms of both the penalty kill and the power play.

Updates on injuries: Montgomery stated yesterday that Brandon Carlo and Derek Forbort both feel much better and will check in with them today. As Parker Wotherspoon truly settles in, there will undoubtedly be some changes on defense as Forbort and Carlo approach full health.

Even though there isn’t as much animosity as there previously was, Montreal games at the Garden are always exciting. It ought to be a nice one! I’ll see you at the theater tonight!

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk