The Greatest Hate of All: Bruins vs Canadiens Preview

Joseph McLaughlin
Jan 24
4 min read

Joseph McLaughlin

1/24/26

Sportz Nation

Photo Credit: Charles Krupa/AP Photo via Spectrum News.

Hockey’s greatest rivalry will be getting another chapter as the Boston Bruins prepare to take on the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.

The matchup will be the third time the Original Six rivals have squared off this season. The Bruins took the first matchup in Montreal on November 15 by a score of 3-2, while the Habs got revenge on December 23 in a 6-2 blowout win in Boston. Now, both foes face off at TD Garden with a lot at stake for both teams moving forward.

For the Bruins, it is about extending their hot streak to eight wins in nine games, taking bigger strides towards leading the wild card standings, and placing themselves within a point of the Canadiens in the division.

For the Canadiens, it is about bouncing back after losing for the third time in their last five games. The Habs fell behind early in their last game against the Buffalo Sabres, a team that is in the hunt for a playoff spot and is closing the gap on Montreal. The Habs conceded two goals in the first period and could not come back.

The Bruins enter the game with some momentum. After a disastrous 6-2 loss in Dallas on Tuesday, the team got the result they wanted, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 after a spectacular two periods, including scoring three goals in one minute, outweighing a rough third period.

“It was great, a great response, especially in the first two periods we were lights out,” said Bruins Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo Thursday. “Obviously, last period wasn’t great, but we battled, and that’s a win. That’s all that matters.”

The win was the Bruins’ seventh in their last eight games, tightening their grip on a wild card spot, and the gap on the Atlantic Division leaders. Now, they shift their attention to the Canadiens, who are looking for a bounce back of their own.

Keys to the Game

The Bruins have not had any shortage of offense in this recent stretch. Scoring three goals in 54 seconds against Vegas was remarkable and showcased just how potent the Bruins can be both on the power play and on even strength. However, a Bruins victory will have to come off a great defensive game. Korpisalo was a main reason why the Bruins won the game against the Golden Knights, making 30 saves en route to his fourth consecutive victory as a starter.

The B’s, however, are likely to send Jeremy Swayman into the crease tonight. Swayman has solid numbers this season, posting a 19-12-2 record in 33 starts with a 2.88 goals against average and a .903 save percentage. Swayman was in the net during the Bruins 6-2 loss to the Stars, and it is not the first time Swayman has had a rough night. He has rebounded from last season and has been one of the Bruins’ key players, especially in a 3-0 shutout of the Detroit Red Wings not long ago.

Defensively, the veteran Charlie McAvoy leads the team in ice time and scored a goal against Vegas on Thursday. Can’t forget about Nikita Zadorov either, a physical defenseman who can take away the puck and feed it back to the offense. Defense will have to be the key against a star-studded Canadiens offense.

Nick Suzuki leads the team in points with 57, with Lane Hutson just behind him with 52 points and a team-leading 43 assists. Cole Caufield also leads the team in goals scored with 26. The Bruins will have to channel their inner Zdeno Chara, who recently retired his number, 33, into the rafters of TD Garden.

The Bruins' offense can also be explosive, with star player David Pastrnak leading the team in points (63), scoring three on Thursday against the Golden Knights. Pastrnak also has 21 goals of his own, but Morgan Geekie leads the team in goals, matching Caufield’s 26 on the season. Other skaters like Pavel Zacha and Elias Lindholm have also been contributors, both with 35 points this season.

They face a strong Canadiens defense led by Noah Dobson, the former New York Islander who was acquired in June 2025. Sam Montembeault is likely to start in the net for Montreal. The Habs netminder started 19 games this season and posted a 9-7-2 record with a 3.42 goals against average and a .871 save percentage.

This game is setting up to be another classic physical bout between historic rivals, with sportsbooks giving the Bruins a slight edge. If I were to pick, I would choose the Bruins to win. They are hot right now, and the Canadiens have not been consistent. Add on the fact that the home crowd at TD Garden is in a rivalry matchup, I say that energy feeds the Bruins to win this game 3-2. Either way, be ready for a great game between these two great franchises.

Puck drop will be at 7:00 p.m. EST in Boston, MA. The game will be broadcast on both the NHL Network and NESN.