Northeast Division: Habs center looking for fresh start

Plekanec

The Boston Bruins could know the identity of their first-round playoff opponent as early as tonight. If Montreal loses to Pittsburgh, the Canadiens will  be coming to Boston for Games 1 and 2 of the first round next week.

The Habs have struggled through the regular season since January, but they clinched a playoff berth in the Hub Thursday. And center Tomas Plekanec, for one, is looking forward to the postseason as a fresh start. Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette has the story.

MK: History aside, the Habs are a better match-up for the Bruins, especially if Andrei Markov stays out injured. It’s hard to believe that Montreal’s under-achievers like Plekanec would be able to just flip a switch and play up to their potential in a playoff series.

Elsewhere in the division:

•Some Toronto players, like Jason Blake, should be headed to the World Championship.

•Ottawa head coach Cory Clouston wants his team to finish the season with a bang — literally.