May 10, 2014. That’s the last time the Boston Bruins squared off against the Montreal Canadiens and left with a victory.
The Bruins have dropped eight consecutive meetings with their most hated rivals, including the postseason, since that most recent win — a streak they’ll again try to snap Wednesday night at the Bell Centre.
Boston, which has lost twice to Montreal already this season, will trot out an updated lineup for the contest, as forward Joonas Kemppainen did not make the trip after being placed on injured reserve with an upper body injury. Forward Max Talbot was called up from Providence to take Kemppainen’s roster spot, and he is expected to center the fourth line against the Canadiens, according to reports out of morning skate.
Jimmy Hayes also is likely to return after sitting out Boston’s last two games as a healthy scratch. The big winger reportedly skated with Frank Vatrano and Ryan Spooner on the third line at morning skate.
Winger Tyler Randell, who scored his fourth goal of the season in Saturday’s 4-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks, is expected to be the odd man out up front.
In net, the Bruins are expected to go with starter Tuukka Rask, who’s enjoyed little success against the Canadiens throughout his career. Rask allowed three goals in an Oct. 10 loss to Montreal (backup Jonas Gustavsson started when the teams met again Nov. 7) and is just 3-14-3 lifetime against the Habs.
Montreal, which is expected to start Massachusetts native Mike Condon in goal, enters the game with the best record in the Eastern Conference but has lost three of its last four games, including each of its last two in regulation.
Here are the projected lines and pairings for Wednesday’s matchup — the last between the Bruins and Canadiens before they meet New Year’s Day in the 2016 Winter Classic — as reported by the teams:
UPDATE (7:25 p.m. ET):Â Dennis Seidenberg will make his return to the lineup after a two-game absence, replacing Joe Morrow on Boston’s second defensive pairing.
BOSTON BRUINSÂ (14-9-3)
Brad Marchand — Patrice Bergeron — Brett Connolly
Matt Beleskey — David Krejci — Loui Eriksson
Frank Vatrano — Ryan Spooner — Jimmy Hayes
Zac Rinaldo — Max Talbot — Landon Ferraro
Zdeno Chara —Â Zach Trotman
Dennis Seidenberg — Kevan Miller
Torey Krug — Adam McQuaid
Tuukka Rask
MONTREAL CANADIENSÂ (19-6-3)
Max Pacioretty — Alex Galchenyuk —Â Sven Andrighetto
Lars Eller — Tomas Plekanec — Paul Byron
Tomas Fleischmann — David Desharnais — Dale Weise
Daniel Carr — Brian Flynn — Christian Thomas
Andrei Markov — P.K. Subban
Alexei Emelin — Jeff Petry
Nathan Beaulieu — Tom Gilbert
Mike Condon
Thumbnail photo via Eric Bolte/USA TODAY Sports Images
