BROSSARD, Que. – Montreal Canadiens’ first game against the Boston Bruins is still a few days away, but already the emotions are high.
Even the most experienced hockey players will tell you they’re a “little” nervous.
“Yeah the butterflies are starting, I woke up before my alarm this morning already,” Habs forward Brandon Prust told Global News.
“It’s starting to get amped up here,”
Sometime later this week, the Canadiens will continue their quest for the Stanley Cup in a second-round matchup against the Boston Bruins.
The Bruins boasted the best record in the NHL during the regular season.
“The one thing that makes them so good is that they play their system every single shift, they don’t get away from it,” Habs defenceman Mike Weaver said Monday.
Watch: Habs getting ready for Round 2
At an unrelated news conference, Montreal mayor Denis Coderre gave his prediction for the series: Canadiens in six.
“We have the best team,” Mayor Coderre told Global News.
“Go Habs go!”
Analysts say the Bruins-Canadiens series is expected to be a good one, and it could go the distance.
On paper, the teams are evenly matched.
In goal, both Tuukka Rask and Carey Price have had solid years.
On defence, both Zdeno Chara and P. K. Subban are Norris Trophy winners.
Up front, it will be a battle between two of the league’s top defensive forwards: Patrice Bergeron and Tomas Plekanec.
Players say that the edge will likely go to the team that can control its emotions.
“We have got to keep our cool, and make sure we don’t take stupid penalties,” Habs forward Brandon Prust noted.
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