If the Bruins fall on Tuesday in Montreal, they'll be forced to return home to take on the Habs in a winner-take-all Game 7, a scenario that they haven't been victorious in since all the way back in 1994. With Brian Sutter behind the bench, Boston skated away with a 4-3 first-round victory over Montreal, but since then, they've fallen short in those situations and have had their season ended in a Game 7 on four separate occasions, including each of the last three seasons.
Now if you put any sort of stock into that fact, you're probably putting even more stock into Tuesday's game, despite the fact that the two teams would square off in Boston for Game 7 if it is necessary.
Boston has been up and down throughout the first five games of the series, with the low point thus far coming at the hands of two home losses to open the series. In those two games, the Bruins fell behind early, and the Canadiens made matters that much more difficult by slowing things down and playing a conservative, protect-the-lead style. The B's dominated much of the possession late in the first couple of games, something Montreal seemed content with as they packed it in and made life for Carey Price pretty darn easy.
When the series shifted to Montreal, the Bruins jumped out to an early lead in Game 3 before holding on for a 4-2 win. Back home in Game 5, the B's struck first again before winning it in the second overtime. Only in Game 4, a game in which the Bruins needed a spirited comeback, did the game's first scorer not come away victorious.
Much of the reason the Bruins were able to come back in that Game 4 was the play of Tim Thomas. After letting up a couple of soft goals early on, Thomas was big when they needed him to be, turning away a flurry of shots late before Michael Ryder was able to net the winner in OT. Then, Thomas was even better on Saturday night in Game 5, highlighted by an incredible save on Brian Gionta on a 2-on-1 break in double overtime.
While the Bruins have been great during 5-on-5 play this season, they're likely going to have to get something going on the power play. If it happens on Tuesday night to help put Montreal away, even better. It's overdue to say the least. Sixteen teams entered the playoffs and only one has yet to light the lamp on the man advantage, and it's the Bruins. That, by the way, is counting a Rangers team that has already been knocked out and scored on only 16.9 percent of its power plays in the regular season.
The Bruins would love to put the Canadiens away for good on Tuesday night. If they don't, they'll be right back where they've been the last few years — looking to do something they haven't done in a long time.
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