Of course, not all Bruins fans have been able to stomach rooting for the Canadiens. Watching the Habs launch a third-period comeback to beat the Penguins on Thursday night in front of what seemed like 3 million screaming fans was enough to get Boston residents’ blood boiling.
Meanwhile, the Bruins are up 3-0 in their series with the Flyers, and while the players can’t afford to look ahead to the next series, the fans can and will. The Bruins have disappointed numerous times over the past three decades, but becoming the next 1942 Red Wings or 1975 Penguins (the only teams to ever blow 3-0 leads) doesn’t appear to be in the Bruins’ future.
So what, exactly, are Bruins fans hoping for? If the eighth-seeded Canadiens win their series with the Pens, the sixth-seeded Bruins will have home-ice advantage on their side in the Eastern Conference finals — a reality that wasn’t even plausible in fantasy a month or two ago. With the Mellon Arena Farewell Tour in full effect, the B’s would no doubt have some issues playing four of seven games in Pittsburgh.
Yet the discernible advantages end there. What it comes down to is, essentially, gut feelings. Do you want your Bruins to play the Habs or the Penguins?
When it comes to regular-season records, the B’s were 1-3-2 against Montreal and 1-2-1 against Pittsburgh. Not exactly inspiring, but consider that Tim Thomas played in five of those 10 games and you’ll understand it’s a different team in front of Tuukka Rask.
There’s also the pride factor. What’s more satisfying — the potential to knock off the defending Stanley Cup champs, or the chance to end the hated Habs’ season for the second consecutive year?
Then, of course, there’s the flip side. What would sting worse — losing to the reigning champions or losing to Hal Gill in a Canadiens sweater? Yuck.
So, Bruins fans, which is it, and why? More importantly, will you be able to live with yourself?
Who are Bruins fans rooting for in Canadiens-Penguins series?survey software
