Foxsports.com (by Kevin Greenstein, Inside Hockey):
#1 Canadiens vs. #8 Bruins

These division rivals have met on 29 separate occasions in the NHL playoffs, with the Canadiens coming out on top 22 times …

Canadiens outlook: The Habs boast the NHL’s top power play, led by dynamic forward Alexei Kovalev and cool-headed quarterback Andrei Markov. Habs captain Saku Koivu is currently listed as “doubtful” for the playoffs with a foot fracture, but if the swelling has gone down enough for him to put on a skate boot without pain, look for him to take the ice for Game One. And perhaps most important of all, hard-hitting rearguard Mike Komisarek (hip) has been cleared to play, which should make life in the crease much easier for rookie netminder Carey Price.

Bruins outlook: It hasn’t been particularly pretty, but the Bruins have battled their way back to the postseason after a two-season absence, largely because they’ve bought into head coach Claude Julien’s system. Playmaking center Marc Savard has been the key to the Bruins’ offense for most of the season, but with dynamic pivot Patrice Bergeron (concussion) finally cleared for contact, Boston’s offensive attack could be much improved. And on the blue line, Zdeno Chara is the difference-maker for Boston, one of the top two-way rearguards in the game and a huge help to vastly underrated All-Star netminder Tim Thomas.

Prediction: Canadiens in six.