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Bruins Look To Put Habs In Inescapable 0-3 Hole + Thoughts on Mr. Campbell |
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With a 2-0 series lead, the Bruins now have an opportunity to take a commanding, historically insurmountable three games to none lead on the Montreal Canadiens.
As many of you know, they will be doing so without the services of LW Milan Lucic after his apparent cross-check to Maxim Lapierre's mug. The validity of the suspension in the grand scheme of things isn't unreasonable by any stretch. Having viewed the replay dozens of times, be it a glove or a stick that makes initial contact with Lapierre, Milan's decision to engage him in such a manner was a tad foolish.
But the reasoning Colin Campbell cites for handing out the one game ban seems equally foolish.
Campbell stated in a television interview that it was unclear what exactly transpired. He also made the exact same comment regarding Mike Komisarek's repeated face-washing/eye gouging of Matt Hunwick.
Campbell then pointed to the fact that the game was out of hand at that point as a factor in his decision. So is that why Cammalleri wasn't suspended? Is it okay to make pre-meditated attacks in a close game?
Oh and of course there's the "reputation" factor. Undoubtedly the last regular season game between these two teams, during which Lucic took down Komisarek from behind, may have played a role in this. But if someone has a clean record, can they go about exerting their frustration on an opponent in the most despicable fashion, knowing they've got an unused "get out of jail free" card?
So by my count, if there's a 2-2 game tonight in the third period, Alex Tanguay can rip a wrister on net and follow through by driving the blade of his stick into Marc Savard's family jewels. He clearly meets every part of the criteria to dodge a suspension.
Intentions unclear? Check.
Close game? Roger that.
Clean record? You bet.
Thank god Colin Campbell doesn't rule the world. Can you imagine if he was in charge of punishing world famous criminals? The shoe bomber would still be walking the streets because his "intentions were unclear" and he "didn't have a bad reputation" prior to the flight. Meanwhile I'd probably end up serving 10 years for jaywalking because I'd previously been witnessed crossing the street outside the confines of a crosswalk.
Did Lucic deserve to get suspended for his loss of composure? Fine. Yes. This isn't sour grapes, this isn't a call to arms to stop the rampant favoritism toward the Canadiens. Not one bit. But these bogus excuses for why or why not a player is deemed punishable throughout the early stages of the postseason are beyond laughable.
Get some freakin' consistency NHL. Or is it NHLOL?
Back to the game at hand......
Montreal has yet to find an answer to thwart the B's tremendous depth. Phil Kessel, David Krejci, and Milan Lucic combined for seven points in game one to burn the Habs. Game 2? The trio got just one assist, from Kessel, and the Bruins still put up a 5-spot.
Heading into the series, Boston was 19-6 all time in playoff series in which they led 2-0. On the other side, Montreal is a respectable 5-14 when facing an 0-2 deficit (one of the five coming back in 2004 when they trailed the B's 2-0 and 3-1). But if the Bruins take game 3 tonight at the Bell Centre, the Canadiens will have to make a historical comeback to edge the Bruins.
Boston is 15-0 all time in series they have led 3-0 while Montreal is 0-9 when trailing by three games. With that said, the Habs have only been swept in nine of their 139 playoff series in team history. Tonight's game, as you well know, is huge.
The Habs have been much better at home than on the road this year. During the regular season, the Canadiens were 24-10-7, while just 17-20-4 away from the Bell Centre. But the Bruins will pose quite a challenge, and not just because they've outscored the Habs 9-3 through two games.
Boston was 24-13-4 this year away from the Garden, tied with Detroit for most wins on the road. At the Bell Centre, the B's went 2-0-1, taking five out of a possible six points against the Habs.
Byron Bitz will be called upon to fill the empty spot at forward, and will resume playing on the 4th line where he enjoyed great success alongside veterans Stephane Yelle and Shawn Thornton. Bitz, a 24-year-old rookie, had 4-3-7 totals with 18 PIM in 35 games. Five of those 18 came in a fight against Donald Brasher, in which the Saskatchewan native held his own in a third period fight against the Caps' enforcer.
Andrew Ference is making the trip but is not expected to be available for tonight's game. So expect the lines to look something like this for the B's:
Axelsson - Savard - Kessel
Recchi - Bergeron - Kobasew
Wheeler - Krejci - Ryder
Thornton - Yelle - Bitz
Chara - Ward
Stuart - Wideman
Hnidy - Montador
With, of course, Tim Thomas starting between the pipes. Who his opposing netminder will be still remains in question.
As you may have expected, I'll be home taking this one in, not in Montreal, and will be much more active if any of you feel like chatting it up throughout the game.
I'll be back with postgame thoughts on this crucial, series altering game later on tonight.
JC
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