The NHL playoffs have ensured that all four second-round series will go at least six games. This is only the fourth time such an occurrence has become reality since the 1975 season. The NHL simply involves so much parity and playoff hockey is once again showing that even when teams dominate, they don’t always put the puck in the net. A hot goaltender on the other side is what can so often make seemingly lopsided series a lot more even than the experts think.
The most intriguing matchup on Wednesday night will be the Montreal Canadiens-Boston Bruins Game 7 showdown. Here’s a preview and prediction.
Game 7: Montreal Canadiens @ Boston Bruins
Wednesday, 7:00 PM ET
Odds: Bruins -180
The Bruins were outplayed for most of the first four games of this series, as Montreal took charge. However, Boston goalie Tuukka Rask played an excellent Game 4 and managed to shut out the Canadiens. Boston won the game in overtime on a goal by Matt Fraser, a minor-league call-up who didn’t know he’d be playing in the game just 48 hours earlier. That one goal, on a broken play in front of the net, saved Boston from a 3-1 series deficit. The Bruins felt relieved to get out of Montreal with a split of two road games after falling behind in the series and looking like the team that was going to start its offseason much earlier than expected. Given a new outlook, the Bruins punished the Canadiens in Game 5 on Saturday in Boston. That victory on home ice really seemed to renew the Bruins and their belief. However, they simply didn’t show up in Game 6 and got worked in a 4-0 loss.
On one hand, it looked like the Bruins took momentum after their impressive win in Game 5. On the other hand, the Habs have looked confident in every game except Game 5. It’s a tossup but roll with the home team here.
Pick: Bruins
