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NHL on NBCSN: Canadiens looking to end Bruins’ 12-game win streak

Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 30: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins shoves Lars Eller #81 of the Montreal Canadiens in the face in the first period at TD Garden on January 30, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Jim Rogash

NBCSN continues its coverage of the 2013-14 campaign tonight when the Boston Bruins host the Montreal Canadiens at TD Garden at 7:30 p.m. ET. In addition to NBCSN, you can also watch the game online.

It’s hard not to talk about the Bruins these days and not wonder about the 12-game winning streak they’re riding into Monday night’s game against the Canadiens.

Boston has been a force of nature in a less-than impressive Eastern Conference this season, and the might they’re flexing lately has shown off all the reasons why they have to be the favorites to wind up in the Stanley Cup Final.

They’re tough defensively, even without key players, and that’s much in part because of the play of Zdeno Chara. Their goaltending has proven to be dynamite through this run as well allowing 17 goals during the streak and putting up two shutouts. Tuukka Rask and Chad Johnson have had a strong season together with Rask being a Vezina candidate.

Then there’s the offense which has lately seen the renaissance of Jarome Iginla. He leads the team in goals with 28 and has 11 goals during the winning streak. After looking a bit off last season with Calgary and Pittsburgh, he’s looking like the Iginla of old. Having him be a factor with the rest of the team doing their usual thing just makes them that more dangerous.

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The Canadiens have an air of desperation about them. For as comfortable as the Bruins are, the Habs are not. With 85 points they’re one point back of Tampa Bay for second in the Atlantic and five points ahead of Detroit and Toronto. A loss means opening the door for either of those teams to catch up with them and make the playoff race that much more interesting.

Montreal would rather zero in on trying to get home ice in the first round against the Lightning and the play of Thomas Vanek and Max Pacioretty of late is helping that out. Vanek had a hat trick against Colorado last Tuesday and has fit in well on the team’s top line. Pacioretty, meanwhile, has one goal and five points in the past five games.

The real star of late though is P.K. Subban who heads into the game with two goals and 11 points in the past 11 games. His offense from the back end and the way he manages to always draw a crowd provides a spark for the Canadiens. With Carey Price still getting back into the routine after missing time following the Olympics, he’ll have his hands full with the Bruins.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT