Top 3 Boston Bruins Playoff Moments Against The Montreal Canadiens In The 21st Century
Being one for two in the Stanley Cup Finals and still going strong, Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara are on their way to matching Bobby Orr’s Big Bad Bruins teams of the early seventies. Just like Jean Beliveau, Guy Lafleur, and Ken Dryden fit the villain’s role back then, Carey Price, Tomas Plekanec and PK Subban have made for excellent antagonists for the new millennium Bruins, especially in the post-season. From the Bruins’ first hint of greatness in the first round of the 2008 playoffs to now, here’s a list of the top three memories Bruins fans should cherish when it comes to playoff hockey and the Montreal Canadiens.
Round 1: Game 6, 2007:
Such a great last stand for the underdog 07-08 Bruins. The Bruins went punch for punch with the Habs, tying the game at 2-2 with a goal from Milan Lucic, followed by another from then still beloved Phil Kessel. The kicker, though, was Marco Sturm’s game winning goal to make the final of 5-4.
With that win, it not only felt like there really was a chance for the Bruins to complete a comeback after forcing a game 7 but to also never count the team out despite the series record. It was also apparent after this win and this first round that the Bruins would probably turn into something special in years to come.
Round 1: Game 4, 2009:
The city of Montreal planned on partying all through the 2008-2009 season in celebration of 100 years of existence, but the Bruins upended the Canadiens in the worst way possible, finishing off a first round sweep in the Bell Centre in front of 21,273 French Canadiens.
Bruins fans might forget what this win felt like, considering the team then went on to lose a heartbreaker in overtime to Scott Walker and the Carolina Hurricanes in game 7 of the following round. Boston only totaled 94 points and barely crept into the playoffs the year before. That same season, the Habs had the President’s Trophy with 104 points and were considered by many to be a sure shot for the Finals. A year later, it was the reverse. The Bruins showed they were the real deal when they spanked their rivals out of that first round. Justice was finally been served for the Bruins.
Round 1: Game 7, 2011:
Tim Thomas ran away with the Conn Smythe during this playoff run, but Nathan Horton put the first notch in his case for runner up when he let a shot from the point to score the game winner in overtime that year.
In addition to an incredible win for the Bruins, Boston got a real introduction to PK Subban, the most hate-able Hab in recent history. He backed up the diving that has driven many fans crazy with a game-tying goal with 1:57 remaining in the game. Since then, Subban has earned a painful spot in every Bruins’ fans stomach.
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