[smc]

I wish I had tickets, but I'll have to watch the television tonight as Montreal visits Boston. This is the third game between these two rival teams this season, and the Habs have won both of the first two. In fact, the Canadiens have an impressive win streak going against Boston: four games and seven of the last eight since the beginning of last season.

The Bruins have a chance to reverse their recent slide and continue their fight for first place in the Northeast Division, where the other three teams seem to be on life support. Montreal enjoyed a comfortable lead early in the season, then December came and the Habs went 2-8-0 for a stretch. The Bruins flexed their bear claws. Now Montreal is on a points-gaining streak (2-0-1), and it's a one-point race again.

The city is abuzz. I was out last night, and there's more French than usual being spoken downtown and in the pubs. Canadiens fans are brave to wear their jerseys in the pubs. They get belligerent. Fights break out. The crowded subway cars that go to the Boston Garden, where hockey is played, are powderkegs in the hour leading up to the game.

All in fun, right?

The only thing bigger in local sports is when the Yankees are in town.