To some, the first Montreal Canadiens-Boston Bruins game since the controversial Zdeno Chara-Max Pacioretty hit will be unimaginably full of hate. Yet most know that the two franchises have been marinating in dislike for each other for so long that, to some degree, this won’t be too special.
After all, they’ve been hammering on each other year after year since their rivalry began in 1924.
Still, tonight’s game will certainly capture the attention of the NHL’s disciplinary brash, who must hope that the contest won’t devolve into an ugly series of fights and attempts for retribution.
On one hand, the passion might be turned down a notch or two because the game will take place in Boston rather than Montreal. That being said, the fact that Bruins forward Mark Recchi called the Canadiens out for “embellishing” Pacioretty’s injuries brings the hate right back out again. (Joe Haggerty writes that Recchi knew exactly what he was doing when he made those comments.)
While there will be a little extra dash of distaste for tonight’s game, the bottom line is that it should have a large impact on the Northeast Division title situation. The Bruins currently hold a three-point lead atop the division with two extra games in hand, but a regulation win by the Canadiens would bring that within one. Montreal has won nine of the two teams’ last 11 regular season games, so their chances of closing some of the gap are solid.
Andrew Ference took the “just another game” approach when he discussed tonight’s contest with Haggerty.“We prepare for it to get the two points, just like every other game,” said Andrew Ference, who has played in dozens of Habs-Bruins games over the last five seasons. “That’s the reality of it. It’s not good for writing, but that’s the way it is. They are all intense games when you see the same guys over and over again, and if you happen to be tight in the standings then those games are always intense.”
As for adventure and excitement, the Bruins don’t crave these things against the Habs.
“Everybody talks about revenge and what’s going to happen – and the build-up,” said Milan Lucic. “I’m sure they’re saying the most important thing for them is getting the two points, and I’m sure for them the most important is getting the two points because they’re right behind us in the standings.”
“That’s the only thing in mind for us: to create more of a separation between us and them. All of our focus is going into the game and building on what we did [against the Devils, a 4-1 win on Tuesday night].”
So, from Boston’s perspective, the big points on the line should limit the amount of shenanigans going on. Checking in on the Montreal side of things, Habs Eyes on the Prize writes that fans have lost respect for Recchi while Hockey Inside/Out forecasts a “calm” game between the two teams.
A good recent example of a game that lacked the revenge that many expected was the first game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Bruins after Matt Cooke’s career-threatening hit on Marc Savard. Aside from Cooke being forced to fight once, it was a pretty flat encounter dominated by Pittsburgh.
So if you’re looking for a festival of fisticuffs, it might be wiser to consult the second most recent contest between the Habs and the Bruins. That’s not to guarantee that things won’t get out of hand - especially if the result gets lopsided early. But there’s enough at stake between the two squads that settling scores will take a backseat to expanding or decreasing Boston’s division lead.
Either way, it’s certainly one of the games to watch tonight, though.