For the fourth time in as many contests, first place in the Northeast Division will be on the line when the Boston Bruins visit the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Montreal, which holds a one-point edge over its Original Six rival, has won two of the three meetings. The teams benefited from third-period uprisings to split the first two contests before defenseman Andrei Markov scored to forge a tie with nine seconds remaining and rookie Brendan Gallagher tallied in the sixth round of the shootout as the Canadiens claimed a 6-5 win on March 27.
Montreal recorded its fourth win in five outings as Michael Ryder registered his fourth two-goal performance of the season in the team's 4-1 triumph over Winnipeg. Also on Thursday, Jaromir Jagr scored his 680th career goal in his debut with his new team as Boston skated to its third straight victory, a 1-0 win over New Jersey. Tuukka Rask turned aside 40 shots for his 14th career shutout, but is just 2-7-2 in his career versus the Canadiens.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CBC, RDS, NHL Network, NESN (Boston)
ABOUT THE BRUINS (24-8-4): Coach Claude Julien did his best to downplay the significance of Saturday's game. "I don't think it is any different," Julien said when asked if the potential of securing first place adds extra spice to the rivalry. "I think, to me, it's been exciting every game we've played ... it's no different (Saturday)." Brad Marchand, who notched an assist in each of his last two contests, has scored a goal and set up four others in two games versus Montreal.
ABOUT THE CANADIENS (24-8-5): Ryder, who is in his second stint with Montreal, has turned it on as his team positions itself for the postseason. The former Bruin has scored nine goals in his last 11 games - including a pair in his team's wild victory over Boston on March 27. Carey Price was granted a rare night off as Peter Budaj stopped 23 shots versus Winnipeg. Price, who likely will be back in net on Saturday, yielded four goals before receiving the early hook in his last outing against the Bruins.
OVERTIME
1. Rask, who has struggled versus Montreal, owns an impressive 61-33-13 mark against the remaining NHL teams.
2. Montreal C Tomas Plekanec sat out on Thursday with a groin injury. He is questionable for Saturday's tilt.
3. Boston has allowed 40 or more shots on goal in each of its last two contests. Ottawa unleashed 47 shots on Tuesday and New Jersey had 40.