Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff
Hold off on those tee times Bruins fans…the Black and Gold aren’t dead yet!
I’m not going to say for sure if the B’s can complete the comeback against the Canadiens, but I really like the vibe coming out of Montreal after the 5-1 Game 5 victory. I’m a huge believer in sports symmetry, where things that come around go around. And this year’s series bears a striking similarity to the #7 seeded Habs comeback from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the #2 seed Boston back in 2004. In fact, the pattern has been so similar, it's eerie, like something Rod Serling might be narrating.
Back in 2004, the B's took Game 1 by a 3-0 score (Habs won Game 1 this year 4-1, same 3 goal difference)...Game 2 was a 2-1 overtime victory (Sound familiar? It should. 3-2 in OT this year )...Game 3 was won by the Habs to get back in the series, 3-2 (again, a one goal differential just like this year's turnaround)...The B's took Game 4 in double overtime (Montreal won 1-0 in a game that had an overtime, first score wins, feel thoughout most of it)...And to really spook you, the road team (Montreal) won Game 5 by a 5-1 score. (insert Twilight Zone music here!) Projecting this scenario out, look for the B's to win Game 6 by 3 goals (5-2 in '04) and Game 7 by two (2-0)
As stated before, this Bruins team is tough. They’re not intimidated by their rivals. They took the Canadiens’ best shot and bounced back to punch them in the face when most of the hockey world thought they were ready to scream no mas.
I can’t wait for Saturday night!
What do you think gang? Can the Bruins complete the comeback or did they just prolong the inevitable another day?
You forgot to mention the Claude Julien was the coach for those Habs back then as well.
Hey, if they can knock the Canadiens out in the 1st round, I'll be ecstatic and satisfied with the season.
Good to finally be watching some playoff hockey again.
Gotta give the B's a lot of credit for their play over the last 4 games - all of which could have been wins for the black and gold as they have really outplayed the Habs- only a lack of scoring touch (except for last game) is hurting them right now.
The good thing is that they got a rookie goalie in Price about as rattled as they could. I don't know how much carry-over there may be into game 6 but the B's need to pressure him early and throw the kitchen sink at him.
If they can I think they can at least force a seventh game and then anything can happen.
All I know is I want these terrible Hab fans to watch their team LOSE and just go away. What a joke they are. Booing Chara every time he handles the puck??? Why? He came from one of your RIVALS in Ottawa- he never even played for Montreal. And that lame "Ole Ole Ole" thing has to go too. I used to respect Montreal hockey fans but, boy, things have changed. If the B's can't take this fraudulent team out I hope it happens in round 2.
Also next year's matchups will be fun as punks like Komisarek, Kostopoulous, Begin, etc may actually have to worry about having to atone for their actions in this series!
Who are you and what have you done with Teddy Panos? Lynn, did you log in under Teddy's ID just to fool us?
This would be a good time to revisit what we predicted in Sept for the B's. I (ahem) predicted an 8th spot to squeek into the playoffs. Teddy?
Well, well, well...lookie here. The Hockey Krishnas are coming out of the woodwork. Where ya been MaLockFan? If you've read the blog the last couple of months, you'll have noticed MANY complimentary things said about the Bruins, including the fact I considered the year a success whether they one a playoff series or not. (And I believe I said they were a borderline playoff team in September, which is what they turned out to be, didn't they?) Good to have you back though!
T2, thanks for the reminder on Julien...even more freaky, huh?
DB, I'd agree with you except I think Boston sports fans behavior is deplorable at home and away. For us to complain about boisterous visiting fans is the coal factory calling the kettle black, wouldnt' you say? Look at the way Sox fans behave on the road, yet they generally don't get beaten up like Canadiens fans have been in this series.
That said, it would be great to cause na offseason of consternation in Montreal...Lord Stanley knows they've done it to us enough times!
I realize that Boston (mainly Red Sox) fans sure can get out of hand on the road (NY especially) but I think the Habs' fans are going a little beyond that with the booing of Chara whenever he gets the puck, booing during the American national anthem, etc. I have no problem with cheering for your team but think they are taking it a little beyond although if any of this comes to blows I think that's ridiculous.
Just because some Red Sox fans may do it, though, doesn't give the Canadiens' fan carte blanche to do it themselves though.
The thing I never realized before this series is how weak the Habs really are - take away the wins against Boston and they are at the bottom of the conference. They have some pretty good skill up front but just about all of those guys are playing scared right now as they are very averse to fighting for pucks in the corners except for their 3rd line and a couple of their bigger defensemen. In game 6 I'd love to see the B's hit ANYONE that moves in a red, white, and blue sweater.
I agree, though, that they don't really even need another win to call this season and playoffs "successful" although it would sure be great to win a series and then maybe someone can kidnap Jacobs' wallet and pay for a goal scorer?? Glen Murray should be ashamed to be stealing $$$ like he is. Some "sniper". Neely could come out of the press box and play better than Murray right now.
Regardless of what happens in game six and game seven (IF there is a game seven) this season should be looked at as a success. If the Black N' Gold do finish off the habs and make it to the next round the season will just be that much more remarkable! Anyone who is Boston Sports fan at all please watch as much bruins as their is left in the season and lets keep those Montreal fans where they belong back in Montreal...
GO Bruins!
You old enough to remember Bobby Orr getting booed every time he touched the puck in Toronto?
To this day, I still don't know what that's about, except that Orr was from near Toronto. Of course, it's not like he had a choice WHERE to play. He was drafted by the B's, so he didn't exactly spurn the Maple Leafs.
But hey, if you had to live in that cold climate all year round, you'd be demented, too!
As for the onoxious Boston fan thing, believe me, it has nothing to do with the Canadiens fans actions. I've gone to games in Harftford and watched liquored up Bruins fans swearing at and getting right in the face of a Whalers fan that couldn't be more than 6-years old. And all the kid was doing was walking out of the arena holding his dad's hand as they walked out quietly.
I'll say it again...other than perhaps New Yorkers or Philly Phanatics, there isn't a more obnoxious fan base in the country than Boston's.