Marco Sturm just told reporters which rivalry matters most to him, and the Bruins coach picked Montreal without a pause.
Thursday brings the Canadiens to TD Garden for the Homecoming game, and the head coach has already set the tone. A friend asked him about it just yesterday.
Boston Hockey Now shared Sturm's answer: he said "It's still Montreal, for sure. Not even close."
Sturm didn't stop there. He pointed to "great games, great history" against the Canadiens, in the regular season and the playoffs, "you name it." And he said what he lived through last year, this time as a coach, hasn't changed.
That matters coming from this particular voice. Sturm wore a Bruins sweater as a player, so he has seen this rivalry from the ice and from the bench, and his verdict is the same from both.
Charlie McAvoy was part of the same scrum, and his take had a different angle. He admitted he hadn't even realized the Bruins had played so few division games this season.
Boston Hockey Now captured McAvoy saying "you see the emotion that goes into those," a nod to how a division game feels once the puck drops.
PLACEHOLDER
Does this rivalry still carry weight in the Atlantic?
It does, and the standings back it up. Boston is 13-4-1 and first in the division, riding a 4-game win streak, while Montreal sits second at 11-3-4.
The Bruins have been nearly flawless at home at 8-1-0. The Canadiens have been tough away from the Bell Centre too, going 6-1-1 on the road. Something has to give Thursday.
Add the atmosphere. McAvoy was thrilled to hear the Northeastern Pep Band will be at the Garden for the Homecoming game.
Jack Studley passed along his reaction, a reminder that this is a night built for noise.
I'd be surprised if Sturm's room needs any extra motivation. When the coach says "not even close" about a rival, the players hear it. Montreal's goalie situation is its own storyline, and we have it covered earlier today.
Puck drop is Thursday at TD Garden, with first place in the Atlantic still on the table.
Quick hits
EDMONTON OILERSRyan Rishaug revealed that Matthew Savoie will play a few games in the minors, according to coach Mike Babcock. A short stint down there, but it shifts the forward mix in Edmonton.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERSCharlie O'Connor shared the morning skate lines in Edmonton, and Matvei Michkov is on the third line tonight. That is a notable spot for a player fans want to see more of.
NEW YORK RANGERSMollie Walker shared the Rangers' morning skate lines in Calgary, and Glenn Gawdin is already in at fourth-line center. The call at center is made.
CALGARY FLAMESRyan Pike reported that Jonathan Huberdeau and Sam Honzek were full participants in the Flames' morning skate Wednesday. A good sign for both.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFSJonas Siegel reported that Chris Tanev was moved to the third pair with Dakota Mermis at practice today. A small change on the blue line worth watching.
This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
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