The Bruins are in Montreal tonight for the series against the Canadiens. The Bruins made their last playoff appearance in 2004, losing in the first round to the Canadiens. The Bruins lost the series in game 7. (Relive the highs and lows of the series in the archives.)
I don't know about my fellow Bruins fans, but I have been anxious all week. I haven't been sleeping well. I was sick on Tuesday. I have had insomnia where I'm up until 5 or 6 in the morning the past couple of days. And I can only associate all of this with the playoffs.
I have never wanted a hockey game to start so quickly before.
The information out of Montreal is lacking because the Bruins scrapped their morning skate. Coach Claude Julien had some good quotes in his session with the press though.
* Marc Savard (back) will be a game-time decision. "If he can be in, it's because he's 100 percent," said Julien. "If we put a guy like him back in, it means you're taking a healthy guy out."* Julien on Tim Thomas and his struggles against Montreal: "We certainly don't have to point the finger at him as far as not being good," said Julien, noting how poorly Thomas's teammates played in front of him. "He's got an opportunity to come in here and show what he's done for our team all year."
* Julien reiterated that Patrice Bergeron will not be available tonight. Bergeron is scheduled to skate this morning. "He deserves a lot of credit," said Julien. "He's a real smart individual. He understands everything. He wants to play. He knows what's at stake, and I'm not talking about the playoffs itself but his career. When he feels 100 percent ready, he's going to give us the OK."
* Julien on staying out of the box: "If you're not disciplined, you might as well give them the series."
I liked the quote about Bergeron a lot. It's great that Bergeron is being so responsible and the Bruins will wait for the OK from him and not the other way around.
As stated above, Savard will be a game-time decision. It's good that he could return to the line-up, but at the same time, it would be foolish for him to rush back. We'll see how that plays out after warm-ups.
Thomas, as well as Carey Price, will be making their playoff debuts in goal tonight.
It should be a great game. I won't be around to blog unfortunately, but I will check in as soon as I get blog access.
Go Bruins!!!!
