The Montreal Canadiens can take a commanding 3-0 series lead on arch-rival Boston tonight when the best-of-seven series shifts to La Belle Province.
All indications are that Boston Bruin captain Zdeno Chara will be back in uniform after missing Game 2 with dehydration.
“It looks good,” head coach Claude Julien said following Monday’s pre-game skate.
The Bruins’ resolve will be put to the test. Not only has the team never won a series when down 2-0 but the Bruins will have to do something they were unable to all year: Win at the Bell Center.
Other than Chara, it doesn’t appear as though Claude Julien will make any drastic changes to his line-up. Tim Thomas is expected to start in goal for the pivotal Game 3.
The Canadiens aren’t expected to alter their roster. Unless of course winger Andrei Kostitsyn is cleared to play. Kostitsyn missed Game 2 with a foot injury. Kostitsyn will be a game-time decision.
Center Jeff Halpern’s status is also up in the air. He took part in the morning skate and head coach Jacques Martin said “he’s getting close”.
Martin didn’t have to warn his players to avoid feeling content with what they’ve accomplished.
“We’re in good spot but it’s not even close to being over,” Ryan White said. “This is a good hockey team over there and there in third place in the Conference for a reason and we respect what they bring.”
With a 0.50 GAA and a .985 save percentage, Carey Price will attempt to pull his team to within one win of round two.
