The Bruins take on the Montreal Canadiens in their first meaningful match up since their first round playoff series in April. The B's are looking to end their recent regular season woes against the Habs. The Bruins have lost 11 straight regular season contests against Montreal dating back to March 3, 2007. To find a Bruins regular season win in Montreal, you have to dig a little deeper in the archives and go back to December 4, 2006.- This will be Michael Ryder's first regular season game against his old team. I hope he scores a hat trick and shoves it in Guy Carbonneau's stupid movie villain-esque face.
- Tonight's game will be Aaron Ward's 700th game in the NHL. For more on Ward, check out his thoughts on tonight's game on his blog or tune in to Toucher & Rich on WBCN today around 4:00.
- The Bell Centre will undoubtedly be filled to capacity with Euro trash-wannabes and their disproportionately hot girlfriends.
- The Habs will probably be wearing one of their 82 different commemorative throwback sweaters for tonight's game.
- Since it is opening night in Montreal and they are unveiling their Ring of Honour, the B's will likely have to sit through a long ceremony before the puck drops.
- The Bruins will need much better special teams play tonight. They are currently ranked 19th in the NHL on the power play (16.7%) and 29th in Penalty Killing (62.5%).
- Don't expect to see the league's most polite brawler (first video below) tonight. Georges Laraque is still recovering from a groin injury and has not dressed for a game yet this season. So, it looks like we won't get to see Chara and Laraque rolling around and playing grab ass with each other (second video).
UPDATE (12:52 PM): Fluto Shinzawa is reporting that Georges Laraque will play tonight. Laraque will skate on the fourth line with Maxim Lapierre and Mathieu Dandenault, replacing Steve Begin at left wing. So, maybe we will get to see a Chara-Laraque Greco-Roman wrestling match after all.