MONTREAL - Emotion, discipline, edge and focus are words commonly associated with any hockey game, but this one between the Canadiens and Bruins isn't just any hockey game.
And hockey players, who are always quick with a cliche about one game meaning as much as the other, recognize that this game means more.
To the Canadiens, not only is it a shot at redemption or payback, but it's an opportunity to narrow the widening gap between themselves and the Bruins, who sit five points up for the division lead with a game in hand.
Speaking with members of the Bruins today, they are well focused on the importance of discipline, on implementing their style of game with great emotion and teetering on the edge of controlled physicality versus violent mayhem.
"I think both teams want to be disciplined," said coach Claude Julien this morning. "You never want to get in to situations where discipline will cost you games, and that's where we have to be smart."
Can the Canadiens take the same controlled approach after they were run out of the rink in Boston, on February 9th?
The fans certainly expect some kind of response from their team tonight, and if the emotion is palpable in both locker rooms, you can imagine what it'll be like in the stands tonight.
Paul Mara's inclusion over Alex Picard and Yannick Weber suggests the Canadiens are prepared for the raw physicality Boston likely has in store for them.
Ryan White draws in for Tom Pyatt, in the hopes that he can provide more aggression on the forecheck and help balance out the physical match-up that obviously tilts in Boston's favour.
Shifting from the obvious storyline this game's accompanied by, the rivalry between the NHL's best goaltenders will be on display tonight, with Tim Thomas and Carey Price hoping to have better outings than the ones they had in Boston, one month ago.
Of note, both of Boston's goalies took some tough shots in practice today, and both were a little shook up as a result. Tuukka Rask was so angry about taking a shot up high that he launched his goalie stick into the stands. Thomas took a shot to his glove hand that seemed to sting him. He took a quick break from the net and returned shortly after to complete the morning skate.
On the other side of the rivalry, Price is in the midst of one of his best segments of a brilliant season to date. Given his 3-1 record against the Bruins this season, you'd expect he'll be the biggest factor in a Canadiens win.
Consider this a crucial battle in the war that rages between Boston and Montreal, and remember, it's not the final chapter, with both teams set to do battle once more in Boston this season. Their places in the standings could easily see them open the playoffs against one another, once again.
