New York Times ( Lew Serviss ):

After the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth Rock, the Pilgrims and the Indians rode into town to watch the Bruins face the Canadiens. Well, it sure seems like this rivalry goes back that far. The Habs and B’s will go at it for the 31st time in the playoffs. This time, it hardly looks like a fair fight. The Habs swept the season series and bring the league’s best power play and second-best goals-scored total into the match. The Bruins have over-achieved and face some mighty big holes in their attack. Marc Savard is struggling to return from a broken bone in his lower back after a cross-check from Montreal’s Steve Begin. The Bruins play a gritty, hustling game with the likes of the search-and-destroy rookie Milan Lucic getting major ice time due to injuries.

Season series Montreal, 8-0
Last 10 games Montreal, 8-1-1; Boston, 4-2-4

Goaltending: Carey Price is young (20) and big (6-3, 212) and following in the skate marks of a couple of other Montreal rookie netminders (Dryden, Roy) who have found glory in the playoffs. Habs GM Bob Gainey, not a gambling man, dealt Cristobal Huet and let it ride on Price, the cool kid who has won a World Junior Championship and an AHL Calder Cup. Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told The Boston Globe, “We have to get him moving and get the puck high.” The Bruins, careful during the regular season not to overuse Tim Thomas – but not too worried about throwing his game out of kilter — will ride Tiny Tim, the best goalie who will not win the Vezina. His .921 save percentage was just behind J.S. Giguere for fourth place in the league.

Offense: Montreal can score, particularly on the power play, where they employ lots of movement and try to mix up their look. Alex Kovalev (35 goals, 84 points) is having a huge season playing with Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn. A second line of Chris Higgins, Sergei Kostitsyn and whoever fills in for Saku Koivu (foot) can also fill the net. With Savard out, David Krejci centers Glen Murray and Marco Sturm.

Defense: Andrei Markov (58 points) is a key part of the Montreal attack, but they are missing Mike Komisarek, who is Dick Butkus on skates. Roman Hamrlik has played steady and smart. The Bruins have the colossus Zdeno Chara (17 goals, 51 points), whose shot is so lethal he has put some of his own teammates on the sidelines.

Injuries Canadiens – Saku Koivu (foot), hopes to return at some point during the playoffs; Mike Komisarek (hip) could be in the lineup for Game 1; Francis Bouillon (ankle) is day to day; Michael Ryder (leg) is day to day.

Injuries Bruins – Marc Savard (back) hopes to play in Game 1; Patrice Bergeron (concussion) could return for the second round; Chuck Kobasew (broken leg) is probably out through the playoffs; Andrew Ference (leg) might return for Game 1.GAME 1 Thursday, 7 p.m. Eastern, at Montreal