Opinion
3 min read

Will the Montreal Canadiens Freeze Out the Boston Bruins at Bell Centre?

As the Montreal Canadiens gear up to face off against the Boston Bruins at Bell Centre, fans are buzzing with anticipation. The storied rivalry between these two teams adds an extra layer of excitement to what promises to be a thrilling encounter.


Jan 20, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher (11) controls the puck against Boston Bruins center Morgan Geekie (39) during the first period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The Canadiens have shown a mixed bag of performances in their recent outings. On February 28, they secured a convincing win over the Arizona Coyotes with a shooting percentage of 19 percent and an impressive 57 percent faceoff win rate. Their goaltending was exceptional, saving all but two of 38 shots for a save percentage rounding up to 100 percent. This level of defensive solidity could be pivotal against the Bruins.


However, consistency has been an issue for MTL. In their March 1 game against the Florida Panthers and March 3 clash with Tampa Bay Lightning, they suffered narrow shootout losses despite scoring three goals in each game and maintaining a shooting percentage of around 10 percent. The Canadiens' powerplay opportunities were not fully capitalized upon in these games, which could be concerning given that special teams often make the difference in tight matchups.


Jan 20, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Montreal Canadiens left wing Rafael Harvey-Pinard (49) shoots the puck against the Boston Bruins during the second period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins will undoubtedly pose a tough challenge; they're known for their robust play and have consistently been one of the stronger teams in the league. But if MTL can harness their evident offensive potential and replicate their defensive prowess from February 28, there's every reason to believe they can emerge victorious.


MTL fans should look forward to this game as an opportunity for redemption after those close defeats – it's time for them to show that resilience is part of this team's DNA. With home-ice advantage and fan support at Bell Centre, there’s added impetus for them to rise to the occasion.


Jan 20, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (8) high-fives Montreal Canadiens center Sean Monahan (91) after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the second period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

The upcoming battle on ice is scheduled on March 14 at Bell Centre in Montreal – puck drop is set for just before midnight local time (6:00 PM Eastern Time). Fans won't want to miss this clash and can catch all the action live on ESPN+ online or NESN on television.

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