Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens Game 6 Updates, Score, Result

The Montreal Canadiens are out to force a Game 7 against the Boston Bruins with a victory tonight at the Bell Centre and Frank Doyle is back with another totally-biased live blog. 

Full disclosure: I’m no Habs fan, but I do live in Montreal.

My neighbors think it’s weird that I don’t have a bleu, blanc, and rouge flag flying from my car. I’m sure they secretly worry for my safety when hockey talk comes up over pints at the pub. If you’ve never been to Montreal when the Canadiens are in the thick of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the energy in this city is impossible to really understand.

You think you know, but you don’t. Trust me. I thought I knew what it was like before I moved here too. I always thought Habs fans were the worst, blinded by their own fandom.

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But things have changed. Now, while I’m still never the one to start the Ole chants, I have a new appreciation for this fanbase’s passion. Honestly, it’s hard not to.

All that said, what you might not know is that there is major support in Montreal for the Boston Bruins as well. Of course, it pales in comparison to that of the Habs, but it’s here.

Anyway, it’s Game 6 tonight with the Montreal Canadiens’ season on the line against the Bruins. It’s just about the best thing any hockey fan could hope for. The Habs are currently listed as a +100 underdog at Sports Interaction.

Pregame:

Bruins now a -115 favorite with Habs at -105.

Buckle up for another crazy Bell Centre pregame show. I’d love to know how much each of these costs… not like they can’t afford it with $9 Molsons.

Over/under five minutes before somebody pulls out the decibel meter?

I’ll tell you what, let’s just have Sara Diamond sing every Bell Centre anthem. HELLO.

Period 1

We’re underway.

Bruins jump in on a 2-on-1 but Lucic can’t get a shot as the puck jumped over his stick. Habs are a bit jumpy early on.

GOAL.

Lars Eller with his fourth of the postseason puts Habs up 1-0. It was less that two months ago when more than half of Habs Nation was ready to send Eller packing. Crazy. They should lock him up for five years at least.

The Bruins have some liabilities on the blue line. Good talent but players like Hamilton and Krug are still kids.

Sports Interaction’s NHL Stanley Cup playoffs odds

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Is it just me or will Zdeno Chara be a dead ringer for Gandalf in 40 years?

Loui Eriksson just beat Price up high but drilled the crossbar. The crowd gasps. Apparently that’s the 10th time in the series Boston has hit iron.

Mike Weaver takes the first penalty of the game with that high stick. Therrien doesn’t like it but will hopefully shut his yap when he sees the replay. Bruins to the PP.

Emelin and Prust just taking the Bruins power play to the woodshed. Black and gold all over the ice as the penalty expires.

Emelin goes to the room after one of those hits. If there’s any threat of a concussion we shouldn’t see him again tonight. Then again, this is the playoffs so he could just as easily be back out for the next shift. That’s the problem with the NHL’s concussion protocol.

Subban and Bergeron in the box for roughing.

ANNNND there’s Emelin back on the ice. Frank Doyle, PROPHET.

Subban and Bergeron return and we’re down to the final two minutes of the period.

Montreal 1, Boston 0 after one period.

Period 1 thoughts

The Bruins are showing their youth a bit on the blue line. Montreal’s gaining the zone with speed and taking the puck wide to set up the attack. The Habs are playing nasty against the Big Bad B’s and surprisingly enough, it’s working. The Bruins will take bad penalties if you can get under their skin. That’s what Weise, Prust and Emelin are trying to do.

Setting the odds that Don Cherry talks about “poking the bear” at -500.

Period 2

Dougie Hamilton picks up a penalty at the end of the first so Habs begin the second on the power play.

No idea how Gallagher didn’t score on the doorstep on that rebound from Subban’s point shot. He’s checking his stick on the bench. Such a hockey move – it’s the stick’s fault.

Montreal is really taking advantage of Boston when Lucic and Chara are on at the same time. They just can’t keep up with the speed. The Habs have to play this fast if they’re going to hold on because you know the Bruins will put together a good push soon.

Subban to the box for holding the stick. Big chance here for Boston.

Bruins can’t score on the power play but have the Habs on their heels. Some Canadiens have been on the ice for two minutes before they finally clear the zone.

Back-and-forth action now with eight minutes left in the second. Both teams have the pedal to the metal.

Sports Interaction’s NHL Stanley Cup playoffs odds

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Sports Interaction’s live betting odds

Montreal is currently a -303 favorite in our live betting. Seems awfully steep with so much time on the clock.

GOAL. Max Pacioretty scores his first of the series, beating Rask five-hole on a breakaway. Montreal up 2-0 with 4:35 in the second period.

The Habs keep coming at the Bruins. Cue stupid Bruins penalty in 3…2…1… Johnny Boychuck, come on down!

GOAL. 3-0 Habs as Thomas Vanek makes him pay by banging in a rebound at the side of the net. Here come the Ole chants, way, way too early as usual.

Montreal 3-0 after two periods. leads 24-18 in shots on goal.

Second period thoughts

The Canadiens needed their big boys to step up with their season on the line and that’s exactly what they got. Pacioretty and Vanek beat Rask and have the Habs 20 minutes away from a Game 7 in Boston. Montreal needs to be careful in this last frame. You know the Bruins are going to try to take this game to the alley and the Habs can’t get into that kind of game. Play hard and fast and skate away.

Period 3

The Bruins have had their chances in this one. Montreal needs a big period from Carey Price to close this out and force a Game 7 on Wednesday in Boston.

Terrible penalty on Lucic for tripping Subban in the offensive zone. He’s had a tough night.

Bruins still look utterly frustrated by Montreal’s speed and Julien needs to figure out something to get the puck in deep and keep it there. Fast – just 11:14 left in the third.

Major surge from the Bruins midway through the period and the puck was less than an inch from getting past the Montreal goal line. The Bruins can’t catch a break tonight.

No goal.

Shawn Thorton, Lucic and Gregory Campbell will be out in about five minutes to start the circus.

Montreal has 19 blocked shots tonight. That’s how you get it done in elimination games.

Bruins take their timeout with about five minutes left after icing the puck. Rask will be heading to the bench shortly.

Montreal’s high flip passes to get the puck out have been working all night.

Rask heads to the bench and Vanek puts the game on ice by hitting the empty net. Vanek’s second of the night.

On the next shift, Boston sends Thornton, Campbell and Co. over the boards. Frank Doyle, PROPHET.

Lucic, Chara and Iginla trying to fight anyone in a red sweater. Habs won’t take the bait.

Final score: Montreal 4, Boston 0.

Last thoughts

Speed kills. The Bruins need to go back to the drawing board for Game 7 because the Habs just realized they can win this series by skating. Game 7 goes Wednesday night in Boston.