Could it be any other way? Bruins vs. Canadiens in Round 1!

The final four games of the Habs 2008-09 up-and-down season start this evening. Montreal will play Ottawa at home, in what is always a tough divisional match.

The Habs continued their strong play this week, and now are on the verge of securing a playoff spot.

Dominance! It took most of the season, but Montreal finally ruled supreme over a significantly lesser opponent.

For the first time in what feels like ages, the Habs actually took advantage of their weaker opponents, picking up 5 of 6 points to put themselves in a slightly better position for the playoffs.

It was a game that could have ended 12 – 2 in Montreal’s favour. Tampa Bay was dominated, thoroughly, for most of the game.

The struggles continued for the Habs this week, as they picked up just 1 of a possible 6 points, falling to the 8th and final playoff spot, holding on for dear life.

The Montreal Canadiens – God’s team, I hear – appear to have hit a new low. How else do you explain Bell Centre fans booing the entire team except Patrice Brisebois in their Saturday night, 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils?

Before you chastise the Canadiens for giving 2 points to a team they are trying to beat out of a playoff spot, take a breath and look back at the game they played.

Montreal’s coaching change failed to bring about any immediate dividends, as the team went just 1-2 in their first week under Bob Gainey.