Game 43: Habs @ Bruins RIVALRY NIGHT IN BOSTON

Jan 13, 2009 7:00 PM ET

TV: Versus

Radio: WBZ 1030AM

Vs. Habs (25-10-6)

Notes:

• Lucic might be back in the lineup.  Game-time-decision, etc.  If not, we're looking at Kobasew-Savard-St. Pierre.
• Hnidy has been cleared for play, and will probably play with a visor.  Lashoff got sent down.
• This is the 6th of 6 home games in a row, part of 10 games at home in January.
  
• Kessel is out with mono. Should've been less careful in high school and college, there, Phil. They think it's likely he'll be out a month, which is about 13 games, according to fluto and friends.
  
• The Bruins are missing 6 of their top players right now: Manny, Patrice, Sturm, Ference, and Kessel. At least the Habs are pretty beat up, too.
• The Bruins should make sure Komisarek continues to have bad memories of the Garden.
• Halak and Thomas in net today, Rask and Denis as backups.
• Fear not, Versus is bringing the NESN announcers on to call tonight's game.  I guess Montreal doesn't have any announcers on VS.
• This is a really cool picture.

"Thort's Vlog":

Previous Games:

2-0-1 vs. Habs

• Game 21: Bruins 2 Habs 2 SO WIN: Patrick Roy night in Montreal, and Thomas puts on quite the show.
• Game 16: Bruins 6 Habs 1 WIN: The only game in Boston so far this season. Lucic beat up Komisarek. The bruins mopped the floor with the Habs. Chants of Caaaarrreeeeeey echoed through the garden. What a game.
• Game 3: Bruins 3 Habs 3 SO Loss: All of Montreal's scoring is in 3:19 near the end of the first period in their home opener.
• The playoffs last year, and so many years prior. I want Lucic and Hnidy (and O'reilly and...) back in the lineup out of spite.

Other Previews:
Habs in town, everybody's talking:

• FourHabsFans: "Pay your cover charge to - Cornelius Hardenbergh and The Hockey Blogging Adventure likes yelling and beer. We're like twins!"
• Stanley Cup of Chowder: A pretty good overall rundown.
• Double A Hockey: A good rundown of all the injuries on both sides.  Check it out.
• Kynch's Korner: "Will the Habs go the whole circus route again?"
• The Bear Cave: "Fernandez is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Boston injuries at the moment"
• NESN First Shift: Thomas vs. Halak - this is likely true, as Manny and Price are both hurt.
  
• Papers: Matt Kalman | Boston.com | Herald |
  
• bruins.nhl.com: Preview | Game Notes (pdf)
  

Stats:

My dislike for the habs has been tempered by reading Jack Falla. That said, I'd appreciate if they took a nice long slumber like some other original six teams have.

GO BRUINS!