Following a first-round sweep, the Canadiens take on the Bruins in the second-round, who won their series 4-1. These two teams have an incredible rivalry, maybe one of the best in the NHL. They have met 33 times in the post-season, with the Canadiens taking 24 of the first 33 series. Boston has taken 7 of the last 11. Boston took down Montreal in the first-round of the 2010-2011 season, which saw the Bruins win the Stanley Cup. We will back the Bruins in the opening game of this series.
Boston knows that this series will not be as easy as their first-round one against Detroit, which they won in five games. They also know that the Canadiens will be out to avenge their last playoff loss to Boston. There are so many story lines to enjoy in this series, but the rivalry one is our main focus. Boston is coached by Claude Julien, who coached Montreal. He knows what this rivalry is about and will look to keep his team on an even level in game one at home.
Montreal would love to win this series, but refuses to look past game one. They are taking things one day at a time, especially after sitting around for a week. They swept the Tampa Bay Lightning in dominating fashion to reach the second-round. Now, they have the chance to send the best team in the East to an early off-season. Can they do it? Only time will tell, but we don’t think game one will go in their favor.
Oddsmakers from Sportsbook.ag have the Bruins as home chalk over the Canadiens in this game one matchup on Thursday night. We are going to take Boston at home over Montreal with 15 percent of our bankroll. Our bet will be for the -195 money line as the Bruins take an early 1-0 lead in the series.
