BHN Daily: Boston Bruins Beat Habs Even When They’re Not Playing

Thanks to a one-time realigned NHL due to COVID restrictions, the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens have been unable to renew their rivalry this season. There is a chance that the longtime bitter, Original 6 rivals could meet in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1978 if both teams make it that far but for now the Bruins are at least beating the Habs in ticket prices.

The Boston Bruins first allowed fans back at 12-percent capacity into TD Garden in March. Then on May 10, they upped attendance to 50-percent capacity. Starting tonight with Game 1 of their second-round series with the New York Islanders, the Bruins are now allowed to play at ‘close to full capacity and if you had or have the lucky chance to be one of those fans at TD Garden tonight (8 PM ET), for what promises to be a magical and memorable experience, you won’t be getting as close to as hosed as Montreal Canadiens fans on tickets.  

As of early Saturday afternoon, tickets to Game 1 of the Boston Bruins-New York Islanders second-round series were not as high one as one might expect considering this is the first time since March 2020 that TD Garden will be close to a sellout. Ticket prices ranged from $179 to $303 on StubHub. Meanwhile, with the Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs playing Game 6 of their first-round series in Montreal tonight, the Bell Centre allowing fans (2,500) for the first time since pre-pandemic, tickets were ranging from anywhere from $1,000 to upwards of $9,000 on the resale market!

Like they will be around TD Garden before and after Game 1 against the Islanders, the pubs and restaurants around and near the Bell Centre are expected to be jammed and might actually do better now since anyone not willing to sell a kidney will be looking for a festive atmosphere to watch the Habs try to stave off elimination and force a Game 7 in Toronto. 

“We have a TV that we put outside on the wall, and we will be just managing crowd control … and serve good food and beer,” my buddy and co-owner of McLean’s Pub in downtown Montreal, Stuart Ashton told Global News Montreal. “It’s good for the city and it’s good for the pub.”

Good and a lot cheaper!

Now onto the rest of your BHN Links:

Boston Bruins rookie defenseman Jeremy Lauzon will return to the lineup tonight for Game 1 against the New York Islanders after missing the last four games of the first-round series with the Washington Capitals. (BHN)

So who has the edge in this second-round series between the New York Islanders and Boston Bruins? My BHN partner-in-crime Joe Haggerty breaks it all down and makes his prediction for the series. (BHN)

For what it’s worth, I’m predicting the Boston Bruins in seven games!

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy is cementing his status as an elite defenseman in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (BHN)

In an exclusive interview with Boston Hockey Now, former Boston Bruins winger and five-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Recchi remembers the moment he considers to be the loudest he ever heard TD Garden roar. ‘It was f..king unreal!’ (BHN) 

So would an expensive bottle of red wine be enough to persuade Boston Bruins President Cam Neely to make sure the Bruins re-sign David Krejci, Taylor Hall, and Tuukka Rask? 

Bruce Cassidy on Taylor Hall’s new buddy, Tuukka Rask’s detractors, and how he knows the #NHLBruins are dialed in as the playoffs continue.

Plus we pitch our services to get Hall a new deal. Click the link for the full interview: https://t.co/1KSBaxQaaQ pic.twitter.com/kQKSQBTpeJ

— The Camera Guys (@NBCSCameraGuys) May 28, 2021

Speaking of the Canadiens, could Caufield magic strike again in Game 6? (Sportsnet)

Two Habs alumni sat down together for the first time since December 2, 1995. (TSN)

Now onto your National Hockey Now links:

New York Islanders and former Boston College forward Oliver Wahlstrom (concussion) will not play in Game 1 for the New York Islanders. (NYI Hockey Now)

Can the New York Islanders solve Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask after benefitting from a shaky Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry in the first round? (NYI Hockey Now)

If the New York Islanders have any chance of beating the heavily favored Boston Bruins, they will need Mathew Barzal to break out in the second round. (NYI Hockey Now)

Vegas Golden Knights and former Habs – winger Max Pacioretty returned after a 12-game absence to score the game-winning goal and Mattias Janmark registered his first career hat trick to pace the offense as the Knights beat the Wild in Game 7 of their first-round series Friday night. (Vegas Hockey Now)

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel apologized for letting his team and Penguins fans down in the first-round loss to the New York Islanders. (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

A video of the Tampa Bay Lightning arena staff asking a Florida Panthers fan and his son to remove their Panthers jerseys went viral and eventually forced the Panthers to change their policies. (Florida Hockey Now)

Finally, with pub/restaurants opening up again, wouldn’t it be great to see patrons belt back into this as they finally sit in their favorite barstool again?