Montréal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins Picks and Predictions April 3rd 2025

Montreal Canadiens Ride Momentum into Rivalry Clash

The Montreal Canadiens return to the Bell Centre on Thursday night with renewed confidence and a chance to extend their winning streak to three games. With a tight playoff race unfolding, the Canadiens (35-30-9, 79 points) know every point counts as they host the faltering Boston Bruins.

Fresh off back-to-back wins over the Florida Panthers, including a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory on Tuesday, Montreal remains two points ahead of both the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers in the race for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Captain Nick Suzuki was the hero, scoring with just 8.4 seconds left in regulation and again just 29 seconds into overtime to seal the victory.

These back-to-back wins came after a discouraging five-game winless streak (0-3-2), underscoring the volatile nature of playoff positioning. Just last Saturday, Montreal was outside the playoff bubble.

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Coach St. Louis Keeps Team Focused on the Process

Despite the high stakes, Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis is emphasizing composure and consistency.

“We can’t be tight just because we’re in the playoff picture right now,” said St. Louis. “It’s the old cliché — stick to the process — but it’s true.”

The Canadiens have embraced that mentality, delivering clutch performances that reflect their growing maturity and chemistry.

Rising Stars Fuel Montreal’s Late-Season Push

Nick Suzuki continues to demonstrate leadership under pressure, while rookie defenseman Lane Hutson is making headlines of his own. Hutson recorded three assists on Tuesday — including both of Suzuki’s goals — pushing his total to 57 points. That breaks the franchise record for a rookie defenseman and puts him within reach of Larry Murphy’s NHL rookie blue-liner record (61).

“Elite players rise to the occasion,” said Suzuki of Hutson. “Big games don’t get in his head.”

Kaiden Guhle echoed the intensity the team is embracing:

“Every game is do-or-die. The pressure’s on, and we’re thriving in it.”

Adding to the excitement, 21-year-old forward Oliver Kapanen is set to rejoin the lineup after debuting in Boston earlier this season.

Bruins in Free Fall as Playoff Hopes Fade

While the Canadiens are surging, the Boston Bruins (30-36-9, 69 points) are enduring a disastrous nine-game winless streak (0-8-1), placing them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference for the first time since 1997.

Despite a two-goal night from star forward David Pastrnak, Boston fell 4-3 to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. The defeat marked their second consecutive one-goal loss under interim coach Joe Sacco.

“We need that mindset to play hard to the end,” said Sacco.

Pastrnak has now tallied 37 goals this season, including six multi-goal performances — a lone bright spot in an otherwise grim campaign.

Positive Attitudes Amid Bruins’ Struggles

Despite their downward spiral, Bruins players like Jeremy Swayman continue to focus on resilience.

“We’re not dwelling on the past,” Swayman said after making 28 saves against Washington. “We’re staying present and pushing forward.”

Still, with playoffs out of reach, Boston faces tough questions about its roster and future direction.

Key Matchup: Canadiens vs. Bruins – A Tale of Two Seasons

This game represents more than just two points — it’s a showcase of a team climbing against the odds versus one grappling with its identity.

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What to Watch For

Boston’s Response: Do the Bruins have any fight left in them?

Montreal’s Mental Toughness: Can they maintain focus and capitalize on Boston’s struggles?

Lane Hutson’s Record Chase: Will the rookie continue his point streak?