Crease to Crease: Bruins vs Canadiens (Game 58), Live Notebook

@TheGoalieGuild, who runs an independent goalie scouting service, and whose knowledge of goaltending is in a category of it’s own, is hosting a Live Notebook for tonight’s game, and he will be answering questions about the game, and more particularly, Thomas and Price. I know were both disappointed to not see Rask get the start, but it should still be a great matchup. You can access the Live Notebook here.

By Steve Farnham, AllHabs.net

MONTREAL, QC. — The Montreal Canadiens are coming off of a disappointing loss at the hands of the Kirk Muller’s Carolina Hurricanes, 5-3. The Canadiens had a one-goal lead going into the third period, but the Hurricanes scored three unanswered goals and ran away from Montreal with the victory.

Yesterday’s hiccup between Scott Gomez and Randy Ladouceur at practice was still on many people’s lips today, and Andrei Kostitsyn added fuel to an already burning fire that he wasn’t pleased with his utilization and ice time. Is the team imploding from within? Not necessarily, but the frustration is clear. In the case of both Gomez and Kostitsyn, it appears they will be game time decisions.

The Boston Bruins are themselves having their own shade of problems. There was a time where it seemed only the Winnipeg Jets could stop them (Laugh), however they are only 4-5-1 in their last ten games, and that’s not the type of hockey you want to be playing in February.

Here are a few stat bullets for tonight’s game:

Game:

• Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens.
• Montreal Bell Centre.
• February 15, 2012.
• 7:30 PM.

Canadiens:

• Record of 6-4-0 in their last ten games.
• Lost their last game against the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-3.
• Current Home Record: 11-12-7.

Bruins:

• Record of 4-5-1 in their last ten games.
• Lost their last game against the New York Rangers, 3-0.
• Current Road Record: 16-8-0.

For tonight’s matchup, the Habs will have Carey Price in the net, while his opponent will be Mathieu Garon for the Lightning, the same matchup as ten days ago. Here is your goalie matchup:

Confirmed Starter		Confirmed Starter
Carey Price #31		Tim Thomas #40
	Career Against the Bruins: Career Appearances: 24 Record: 15-7-2 GAA: 2.53 Sv%: 0.919% Shutouts: 0 Season Totals: Record: 21-20-8 GAA: 2.35 Sv%: 0.917% Shutouts: 4		Career Against the Canadiens: Career Appearances: 34 Record: 13-15-4 GAA: 2.83 Sv%: 0.914% Shutouts: 2 Season – Total: Record: 23-11-0 GAA: 2.20 Sv%: 0.929% Shutouts: 4

Here are some additional stats:

Carey Price:	Tim Thomas:
Season Totals at Bell Centre: Record: 10-10-7 GAA: 2.44 Sv%: 0.907% Shutouts: 3	Career Totals at Bell Centre: Record: 4-7-3 GAA: 3.09 Sv%: 0.912% Shutouts: 1

Although the Canadiens are having what can be considered a disaster of a season, Carey Price has really stepped up his game. For a large part of the season, he was good, but not great. Lately, he’s been exactly that, great. You would never think the Canadiens are where they are in the standings by looking at his stats.

With regards to Tim Thomas, politics aside, he’s also having a good season.

Bodog:

Finally, Bodog has the Bruins listed as favorite to win the game:

Money Line:

• Boston Bruins: -130
• Montreal Canadiens: +110

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