1) If the Canadiens could've scripted their trip to Boston, it would've gone down like that. Not only did they hold the Bruins to one measly goal, but they got theirs from expected sources like Gionta and Cammalleri, and threw in bonuses from Darche and Weber.
Weber!
In doing all of that, the Canadiens hold every advantage in this series. And though anything can happen, as we've seen so many times in the playoffs,
I'm arguing here that it won't.
2) Carey Price has been the calm, cool and collected counterpart to Tim Thomas' erratic, nervous and overwhelmed demeanour. Unless that changes tonight, this series is going to be further out of reach for the Bruins.
3) How crucial is the lead in game 3? If the Canadiens get out in front, the crowd will definitely play a hand in them sealing another win.
If the Bruins can't get out in front early, where will they draw confidence from?
And as for the head-games Claude Julien is trying to play by being on the fence about Chara's inclusion in tonight's lineup, we know better. He'll be in, and he'll be a force to contend with.
4) I'd like to know what plan B is for the Bruins, and how soon it'll be before they revert to it.
I expect they'll continue to try to overpower the Canadiens with physicality, and to a degree, I do believe that's the only way they can win. But can they do that four times over their next five games?
I don't agree with those who don't believe the Bruins have played their game in this series. They've tried to, but they just haven't been successful with it. Would a third loss have them back at the drawing board?
What can they do to change things?
From a strategy perspective, if they aim to play chess with the Canadiens, they might have a better chance of winning. But do they have the patience to do that?
And as far as the lineup's concerned, I don't believe Tuukka Rask is the answer. More importantly, I don't think the Bruins believe Rask is the answer.
I don't think rookie Tyler Seguin gives his team the boost they so desperately need, and I don't think they do either, otherwise he'd be dressing for tonight's game.
5) For all the talk about how Lucic, Krejci and Horton have been no-shows for their team, you get the sense that Montreal could explode if Tomas Plekanec could find the back of the net. He's had the most scoring chances of anyone playing in this series, and if he can capitalize on one or two, it could be a huge factor in pushing the Bruins to the brink.
6) Ryan White has been a difference maker, playing in his first NHL playoff series. His nine hits, in just over 16 minutes of play, leads the Canadiens for the series in the category.
He's gotten under the skin of his counterparts, and without players like him and Moen doing the same, the Habs may not have been sitting pretty like they are now.
All to say, the Habs weren't going to out-physical the Bruins, but they were going to have to do something to respond, and White's been a big part of those efforts.
7) Now that the series is in Montreal, you have to wonder how Jacques Martin intends to use his last change advantage.
Will he continue to match-up Plekanec against the Krejci line, as Julien elected to do while this series was in Boston?
8) Andrei Kostitsyn showed a lot of courage, returning in Game One after blocking a Chara slapshot.
He's showing a lot courage by likely returning for Game Three after missing Game Two.
We've seen things from him this season we didn't expect to see, and whether he's playing for the money or not, the Habs will be mighty pleased to have him back in their lineup.
9) Jeff Halpern is drawing closer to a return, though he's not expected to play for the Canadiens tonight. If he does draw in, speculation is that it'll be for David Desharnais.
Anyone think it should be Pouliot losing his spot to Halpern?
10) The Habs have killed off all eight of their penalties in this series. That might be the biggest reason they're leading 2-0.
A bigger reason though, they've only taken eight penalties.
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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