Sunday, 24 Apr 2022. 6:40 PM
RDS and RDS Direct bring you the game between the Boston Bruins and the Canadiens.
SUMMARY
The Canadiens are back in Montreal to play their first home game since the death of legendary ambassador Guy Lafleur 48 hours earlier.
For the occasion, the CH organization held a grand ceremony in memory of the Blond Demon. The players wear a badge bearing the image of the number 10 – as was the case the day before once morest the Senators.
The highlights of Lafleur’s brilliant hockey career were paraded on the giant screen, to the notes of Frank Sinatra’s play “My Way”, at the request of the family of the deceased.
A monster ovation that lasted 9 minutes 50 seconds ensued, shaking the columns of the Bell Centre, while the cries of “Guy! Guy! Guy! resounded in the four corners of the amphitheater.
Outside the Bell Centre, people gathered around the statue of Lafleur. Several bouquets of flowers have been dropped off over the past few days, as have hockey gloves, letters and various keepsakes.
On the Bell Center ice rink, Lafleur’s “10” had been added behind the net. The advertisements had been removed from the tape. They had been replaced by a “10”, the years “1951-2022” marking the birth and death of Lafleur, his autograph and his name.
#GuyGuyGuy ❤ pic.twitter.com/30RWozy3xe
— RDS (@RDSca) April 24, 2022
And in the circumstances, it is the Bruins who visit the Canadian, an opponent who might not be more perfect to highlight the great career of Flower.
Who doesn’t remember Lafleur’s game-winning goal once morest those same Bruins in the Stanley Cup semi-finals in 1979? Lafleur has always been very successful once morest his Boston rivals and he was there when it mattered.
The score is currently 3 to 1 in favor of the Bruins, thanks to a goal from Quebecer Patrice Bergeron, late in the first period, followed by that of Erik Haula a few moments later, on a penalty shot generously offered by one of the officials.
Josh Anderson started the middle period well for the Habs, sliding the puck past Jeremy Swayman on the power play. It was his 19th goal of the campaign.
Haula then restored the visitors’ two-goal priority.
Pre-game notes
The Canadiens are trying to end an eight-game losing streak that began on April 9th. Saturday night, the Canadian slipped to last place in the Bettman circuit, behind the Arizona Coyotes.
It’s a safe bet that Martin St-Louis’ men will be motivated and inspired by Lafleur’s legacy, which will be highlighted before the game.
“I expect a lot from the players tonight. It’s a very important evening for the organization and we’re going to approach it like that on the ice. There are games that remain etched in your memory due to certain circumstances and tonight will be one of them, ”said the Canadiens pilot.
Samuel Montembeault is the starting goaltender for the Habs. Moreover, goaltender Cayden Primeau was urgently recalled from the Laval Rocket, a few hours before the start of the game.
William Lagesson and Laurent Dauphin are in the lineup tonight, while Chris Wideman and Ryan Poehling were left out.
For the Bruins, Jeremy Swayman is the starting goaltender tonight.
As a preventive measure, David Pastrnak and Hampus Lindholm are not in uniform this evening. Both players were back yesterday once morest the Rangers, but with two games in two days, we prefer to play the card of caution. Cassidy confirmed that both players are fine.
Bergeron puts Bruins in charge
Doubtful penalty shot, Haula scores following misstep
The CH on the board thanks to Anderson
