Montreal at Boston

The Montreal Canadiens open Stanley Cup play in Boston against the Bruins. The Canadiens have been a model of consistency all season long, and at no point during the season did they lose more than three games in a row. They took the season series from the Bruins three games to two. They should also have some bulletin board fodder here as the Bruins destroyed them their last trip into this building 7-0 for their worst loss of the season. Boston has been a product of a two-headed goaltender tandem. Tuukka Rask and Tim Thomas have the tendency to run hot and cold all season long. Outside of the 7-0 whitewash against the Canadiens, they have been more off than on. Montreal is showing 16 goals in the other four games, so I think there is a good chance that they break through tonight, as they scored 3+ in all but one of the five played this season. Montreal has been stepping up as a dog, closing at 8-3 in their last 11 on the plus side of the line. For the most part, they have had their way vs. the Bruins, winning 9 of the last 12. Allowing an extra measure here, the best value is on the puckline, so I'm taking the extra +1.5 and playing on Montreal.