Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

Canadiens try to clinch series in Game 5 vs. Bruins

Thu 17th, April 2008

(Sports Network) - The top-seeded Montreal Canadiens will attempt to clinch their best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarterfinal series tonight, when the Habs host the Boston Bruins in Game 5 at the Bell Centre.

The Canadiens are 2-0 as the host in this series, having won the first two tests on their home ice. The Bruins won Game 3 in overtime Sunday in Boston, but Montreal posted a shutout victory on Tuesday to earn a split in Beantown and take a 3-1 series' edge.

Montreal is trying to win its first playoff series since also defeating Boston in the 2004 conference quarterfinals.

Rookie Carey Price stopped all 27 shots he faced for his first career postseason shutout to lead the Canadiens to the 1-0 win over the Bruins in Game 4 at TD Banknorth Garden.

At just 20 years of age, Price is playing in his first-ever NHL playoff series, but hardly seems to be in over his head. Price has stopped 110-of-115 shots in the series and is 3-1 with a 1.19 goals against average and .957 save percentage.

Patrice Brisebois' power-play goal inside the final minute of the second period was the only goal on Tuesday.

Both teams struggled to find the back of the net through most of the first 40 minutes and it was not until the final minute of the second period that Montreal tallied for a 1-0 lead.

When Andrew Ference was whistled for tripping at 18:12, the visitors went to the power play and cashed in. Andrei Kostitsyn held control and skated behind the net before he sent a centering pass into the crease from along the goal line to the right of Thomas. The puck deflected off skates and sticks in front and caromed into the high left slot, where Brisebois unleashed a laser one- timer that hit the crossbar and lit the lamp with 42 seconds remaining.

Despite the loss, Boston goaltender Tim Thomas was strong with 27 saves. Thomas is just 1-3 in the series, but has posted solid numbers with a 2.16 GAA and .924 save percentage.

The Canadiens dominated the regular-season series with the Bruins this year, as they won all eight meetings and outscored their Northeast Division rivals by a 39-16 margin. Boston has still dropped 14 of 15 and 21 of its last 25 tests against the Habs.

Montreal also holds a sizeable advantage in terms of all-time playoff meetings between the clubs. Montreal has taken 23 of the 30 postseason series between these old rivals and has also won the last two, beating the Bruins in the conference quarters in 2002 and 2004.

The Canadiens were 22-13-6 as the host this season, while Boston was 20-13-8 on the road.

If necessary, Game 6 of this series is scheduled for Saturday in Boston.

Where the players come to play and STAY.

Sports Information you need to win BIG.

Sports Contests – Think you know the game?

Poker Promotion

Find NC State basketball tickets at TickCo and watch the college basketball season wrap up with Final Four tickets!

Contact Us | Help | Site Map| Sport Links

Sportsbook Directory | Casinos Directory | Poker Room Directory | Racebook Directory | Partners Directory