KEY POINTS

  • Bruins suffered worst defeat of season against Red Wings
  • Bruins raring to bounce back Wednesday against Canadiens
  • Canadiens pegged as underdogs on the road

Sunday’s game turned out to be a total jaw-dropper after cellar-dwellers Detroit Red Wings dropped the upset ax on the NHL’s best team Boston Bruins. Adding salt to the injury was the fact that the loss snapped the Bruins’ six-game winning streak, halting their momentum to further add cushion at the top of the league standings. They will try to bury the shock of the rude awakening when they host the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night inside the TD Garden.

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal’s own victory surge was also put to an end in their last game. Entering Monday’s clash against Arizona, the Canadiens boasted a 5-1 tally in their last six while sitting on a three-game winning streak. With the Coyotes coming in well-prepared, the Canadiens got nipped, 3-2, in front of their home crowd. The loss is somehow a dent to the flow that Montreal is trying to employ, likewise to their attempt to catch the playoff train. At fifth in the Atlantic, the Canadiens are seven points behind third-placed Toronto while trailing by eight points for a wildcard spot in the East.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins overwhelmed all their assignments during the six-game winning run with a 21-7 domination. Everything was going well with them even surpassing the Washington Capitals at the top of the overall NHL ladder, until they got punched in the mouth by the worst team in the league, 1-3. But Boston does not want to dwell with the loss, putting their focus instead at the task at hand which is to beat Montreal. Wednesday’s tussle will be the fourth time the teams are going to meet on ice with the Bruins leading the season series so far, 2-1.

Odds and Trends

The Bruins are favorites to bounce back strong according to the updated NHL Odds as they are offered at -210 to win. The Canadiens are underdogs on the road at +175.

The Bruins are 5-0 in their last 5 games as a home favorite and 7-1 in their last 8 games as a favorite.

The Canadiens are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Atlantic and 5-1 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.

Over is 6-1-1 in Bruins last 8 games playing on 2 days rest.

Under is 12-1 in Canadiens last 13 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game and 5-0 in Bruins last 5 Wednesday games.

Prediction

Moneyline: Bruins

Total: Over

Tuukka Rask Boston Bruins
The Bruins and goalie Tuukka Rask have the best odds to win the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs. Reuters