Bruins' playoff journey starts tonight

This is what Bruins fans have been waiting 12 months for. Ever since the Bruins took the Montreal Canadiens to 7 games in the first round last spring, B's fans have dreamt about seeing their team have the opportunity to send the Habs packing and play deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs. That dream seems like it could be a reality this year.

It is not just the fans that want to see the Bruins make a run at The Cup. As corny as those "We want it as bad as you" ads are, I think some of that rings true with this team. The Bruins have seen every team in this town win a championship and ride down Boylston on the Duck Boats while the Bruins sat idly by. Hell, even Jack Parker and the BU Terriers got to ride the Duck Boats. The Bruins feel like this is could be their year.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves though. The Bruins still need to win 16 more games before we start planning a parade. On paper, the Habs look like easy pickings for the B's.The Bruins enter the post season as the top team in the East, while the injury plagued Habs just barely sneaked into the playoffs as the 8 seed. The Bruins have had their way with Montreal this year, taking the season series 5-0-1. If there is one thing we know about the playoffs, it is that regular season records don't mean anything...especially when it comes to the Bruins and Canadiens. I hate to bring this up right now, but let's not forget what happened in 2004. The Bruins can not look past the Habs. While the Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal, the B's need to focus on the task at hand: beating the Habs. It is a long challenging journey to get to Hockey's Holy Grail and that journey starts tonight. All I can say is that I hope the Bruins look like the newest members of ZZ Topp come June.

"[The city of Boston] has been pretty successful the past few years, with all the sports, and I think it's Bruins time"

- Mark Recchi shortly after being traded to the Bruins on Deadline Day

Tonight's Probable Goaltending Matchup:

Boston: Tim Thomas

Montreal: Carey Price

Projected Lines:

Injury Report:

Referees:

Kevin Pollack: Home team is 40-23-9 in games he has called this year.

Dennis LaRue: Home team is 40-24-8 in games he has called this year.

Notes:

- Apparently, Bob Gainey has changed his strategy for the playoffs. The strategy last game against the Bruins seemed to be to agitate and turtle to bait the B's in to taking dumb retaliatory penalties. Judging by his lineup that will not be the case tonight. Gainey has inserted hired goon Georges Laraque back into the lineup. Ryan the Cowardly Purse Snatchin' Turtle will watch the game from the 9th floor, while Patrice Brisebois takes his place on the Habs blue line.

- Old friend Glen Metropolit will be in the lineup and skating on the 4th line with Christopher Higgins and Georges Laraque on the wings.

- Based on yesterday's lineup for practice, it looks like Blake Wheeler has been bumped down to 4th line duty.

- Several members of the Montreal Canadiens were spotted watching the Bruins semi-optional morning skate.

- Game starts at 7:00 and will air on NESN.

- Public Skate (open thread) starts here at 6:00.

- For more on this series from North of the Border, check out Habs Eyes on The Prize, Four Habs Fans, Habs Inside/Out, Dennis Kane, or 25 Stanley (If you can read French. Although, he conveniently wrote all his posts where he bashes B's fans in English as well.)

Your Daily Michael Ryder Bashing from the Folks in Montreal:

Robert from Habs Eyes on the Prize bashed a recent Ottawa Sun article about Ryder.

From what I gather based on my limited understand of the French language and the use of a free online translator, 25 Stanley is snooping around trying to dig up dirt on Ryder allegedly not paying taxes that he owed to the City of Montreal.

Here is a little something to tide you over until puck drop: