Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
The intense rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins carries real weight only for the hosts in this encounter. The Montreal Canadiens are clinging to their playoff hopes, and that sense of urgency is evident in the build-up to the game.
Montreal Canadiens
For the first time in quite a while, the Montreal Canadiens go into this clash as favourites. However, it’s important to assess the situation with clarity. Firstly, the Montreal Canadiens rarely secure wins in regulation. On home ice, they have managed just 12 victories in 36 games — a modest 33% success rate. Only the Pittsburgh Penguins have fared worse across the entire conference. Secondly, prior to their back-to-back fixtures against the Florida Panthers, the team had suffered five consecutive defeats. This trend is typical among Eastern Conference wild-card hopefuls — as soon as one gains momentum, a slump often follows. It’s clear the Montreal Canadiens are operating with no room for error. In March, their 5-on-5 xG share stood at just 47.5% — ranking 23rd in the league.
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins have clearly had the upper hand in recent meetings with the Montreal Canadiens, winning 9 of the last 10 encounters. That dominance inevitably adds psychological pressure on their opponents, even if this version of the Boston Bruins lacks some of the attacking firepower of previous seasons. Still, this squad managed to shut out the Tampa Bay Lightning (4:0) and edge past the Florida Panthers (3:2) earlier last month. A standout performance from goaltender Jeremy Swayman and the finishing quality of David Pastrňák in key moments can prove decisive — especially against a side like the Montreal Canadiens, who lack players of that level. Pastrňák, even in this current line-up, has already recorded 37 goals and 51 assists — a world-class output by any standard.
Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins Prediction
This may well be the last fixture in which the Boston Bruins are fully fired up. The opportunity to derail a long-time rival’s most meaningful playoff bid in years is a challenge they’re unlikely to pass up. Backing the Montreal Canadiens under these circumstances seems ill-advised. At the very least, the Boston Bruins should avoid a loss in regulation.
