Bruins versus Canadians. It is the best rivalry in sports. Period. End of discussion. We now know that Game 1 will be on Thursday night at the Garden followed by a matinee at the Garden on Saturday. I can’t wait to get this series going. We all know how this series is going to go. It will grind us out, and kill us a little inside. Let’s pretend that numbers matter in this rivalry and take a look at how this series should play out.

Special Teams:

Traditionally we usually see a strong power play unit from the Canadians and a strong penalty kill for the Bruins. During the regular season and thus far in the playoffs we have seen the Bruins dominate in both areas of the game. The Bruins were 3rd in the league in the regular season on the power play while Montreal was 19th. On the penalty kill both teams were in the top 10 with the Canadians ranking higher than the Bruins. However, in the playoffs, the Bruins have been the best team on the power play while Montreal is the worst team remaining on the penalty kill. Advantage: Bruins

Forwards:

The Montreal Canadians had only 1 goal scorer over 20 goals this season, and that was Max Pacioretty with 39. The Bruins have a balanced attack and get great scoring production from all lines and from many different players. One advantage that the Bruins feasted on during the Detroit series that, most likely, will not be the case this time is third line production. The Canadians have a solid third line of Rene Bourque, Lars Eller, and Brian Gionta that will match up fairly well with the Bruins third line of Carl Soderberg, Louis Eriksson, and Justin Florek(?). The addition of Paille for Boston will be a huge help on the 4th line and in penalty killing.   Advantage: Bruins

 Defense:

This one isn’t even close. The Bruins have been great all year defensively and with the addition of Dougie Hamilton stepping his game up offensively, I don’t see any holes for the Bruins. The Canadians have P.K. Subban, who is a great offensive weapon but can struggle when he is caught in the back-end. Top to bottom it is a clean sweep. (Did I mention that Dennis Seidenberg started practicing with the Bruins in non-contact drills?) Advantage: Bruins

Goaltending:

Carey Price did not play a single game against the Bruins this season as the Habs went with Peter Budaj in all 4 games. The playoffs are a time where you have to ride your guy, and despite his struggles against the Bruins, Price will be the starter, but he could have a short leash. Tuukka Rask has had his struggles against Montreal especially in the Belle Centre. Ultimately, you can’t pick against Rask and what he has done for the last two seasons.  Advantage: Bruins

Coaching:

Michel Therrien is no match for Claude Julien strategically or in any other sense. Claude Julien is coming off a terrific series where he took every punch from Mike Babcock and countered perfectly each time. Just think Montreal, Julien was yours, you had him, and you let him walk to Boston. Thanks! Advantage: Bruins

Other Factors:

Player You Will Hate: P.K. Subban. This is section writes itself. Just watch the video above and look for number 76. The embellishing, diving, and goating the Bruins makes him the most hated player on the ice by fans and players alike.

Player Who Will Haunt Your Dreams: Thomas Vanek. This guy has scored more goals and has more points against the Bruins then any other team he has played against. Although the Bruins have kept him in-check this year; I can’t help but think history will rear its ugly head at some point.

Series Prediction:

On paper this looks like the Canadians should be a team that the Bruins should be able to handle very well. But this is Boston vs. Montreal. This is different. Too many flukey things happen against Montreal. Made up calls, weird bounces, fans calling 911 on a player, there is never a dull moment. This series will be no different. A key for the Bruins is to get on the power play as often as possible without resorting to the embellishment and diving tactics. Special teams is the biggest advantage the Bruins have and they need to play to it this series. This one is going to go down to the wire despite the Bruins best efforts. Let’s enjoy the ride and get ready to be angry, annoyed, pissed off, and (hopefully) thrilled.  Prediction: Bruins in 7.

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