3 Rounds is a three-part series. Writers select what they feel is the most important individual match-up in the upcoming playoff series and give it an in-depth preview. The second piece is a mid-series assessment of that match-up. In the final installment, we analyze how the match-up contributed to the outcome of the series. If our match-up isn’t the difference-maker, we’ll explore the match-up that DID make the difference.
Oh boy, this is going to be a good one. For the 34th time in league history, the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens are going to face each other in the post-season, and the rivalry between these two foes is as strong as it ever was.
The Bruins enter the series as Stanley Cup favorites, after reaching the final last season and dominating the Eastern Conference for most of the year. They are a deep team, with a Selke-nominated center in Patrice Bergeron, a Norris-nominated defenseman in Zdeno Chara and a Vezina-nominated goaltender in Tuukka Rask. All three are considered world-class in their positions, though it’s not just a team with great defense; they also scored 266 goals this year (with a +84 goal differential) to finish with the second highest total in the NHL.
To top if off, the Bruins won the President’s Trophy and finished with the best home record in the league.
For their part, the Habs were no slouches either. Goaltender Carey Price had a career season, one that likely could have netted him a Vezina nomination as well and included an Olympic gold medal in a tournament in which he was named the best goaltender. Additionally, defenseman PK Subban proved his 2013 Norris trophy was no fluke with another outstanding season on the blueline, and the offense was incredibly deep with 10 different players posting double-digit goal totals.
They were the only team to sweep aside their opponents in the first round, and have had a nice little break to prepare for their second round series with the Bruins, a team against which they won the season series with a 2-1-1 record. 
While there is a multitude of storylines to cover in this one, and there’s going to be a number of intriguing individual match-ups to keep an eye on, one appears to be coming to the forefront.
P.K. Subban vs Zdeno Chara
For all that Subban has accomplished in his young career, this series against Boston seems to be his toughest test and where we’ll finally learn what he’s really made of.
While Montreal’s offense is incredibly deep, Boston’s can easily match it with 10 players hitting double digits in goals as well. Whether Subban and partner Josh Georges play primarily against the Bergeron line or the David Krejci line, they’re going to have their hands full. Bergeron has emerged as one of the greatest all-around talents in the world, while Krejci with linemates Jarome Iginla and Milan Lucic have been great with 10 points combined in five games against Detroit in round one. Either line will be a true test for Subban on the defensive side of the puck.
Unfortunately, defense isn’t the only concern when it comes to Subban. Often cited for his brash attitude and tendency to take too many penalties (he finished third on the Canadiens in penalty minutes this season with 81, behind only tough guys Brandon Prust and George Parros), it’ll be up to Subban to maintain his composure against the Bruins and stay out of the box.
Against Tampa Bay in round one, he only picked up two minor penalties, but you know that Boston will do anything it can to get under Subban’s skin and get him off his game. The Bruins would be wise to go after Subban in every single scrum after the whistle, and don’t be surprised if it happens early. The time is now for Subban to stay focused and play the role on defense that people in Montreal hope he can.
However, offense from Subban won’t be an issue. He finished the regular season with 10 goals and 53 points (6th in the NHL among defensemen), and also leads the Habs with five points so far this post-season. One area where he will have to step up is on the power play, where he scored only four times during the regular season, and where the Canadiens have been struggling mightily in these playoffs. Beating Rask won’t be an easy feat, and they’ll need Subban and Andrei Markov to be dynamic on the backend, especially on special teams, if the Canadiens are to have any hope.
While there are questions about Subban’s game and his ability to truly step up, there is no doubting Chara’s elite status. Though he probably won’t win the Norris trophy this season (that honor is likely to go to Duncan Keith), he certainly should.
Chara was, both physically and statistically, a monster this season. He posted 17 goals (fourth among NHL defensemen), 10 of which were on the power play, and 40 points this season. He regularly faces the toughest competition on the opposing side and comes out of it with the match-up in his favor, as evidenced by his +25 rating. The rest of the story on Chara goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyways: he’s an impressive physical defender with one of the greatest slapshots in NHL history.With Chara you know what you’re going to get night in and night out.
He’ll likely be tasked with shutting down Montreal’s top line of David Desharnais between Thomas Vanek and Max Pacioretty, a line that put up seven points in four games against the Lightning. They’re an explosively fast line with great offensive instincts, and Chara is going to need to rely on his adept positioning, physical dominance and long reach if he hopes to neutralize them. It’ll be a test for Chara to be sure, but one that he’s proven he can handle in the past.
By the end of the series, the victor may very well come down to how well Subban and Chara are able to perform in their individual match-ups. At no time of year are these individual show-downs more important than in the playoffs. The question then becomes: will the young, dynamic but undiciplined Subban be able to prove his worth as an elite defenseman in the NHL, or will he be exploited and outplayed by his counter-part, the elder statesman and unquestionably elite Chara? Whichever team earns a berth in the Eastern Conference final will likely give you your answer.
Series Predictions From Our Hockey Department:
Ken Hill: Bruins in 7
Dan Rocchi: Bruins in 7
Shawn Wilken: Canadiens in 7
Billman DeCosta: Bruins in 6
Aaron Wrotkowski: Canadiens in 5
Charlie Clarke: Canadiens in 6
Ben Kerr: Canadiens in 6
Don’t forget to check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert for the latest in NHL injuries.
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