Habs jacked up for first tilt with Bruins since Chara knocked out Pacioretty

BROSSARD — For the Montreal Canadiens, the best way to avenge sidelined teammate Max Pacioretty is to steal home-ice advantage in the playoffs from the Boston Bruins.

The Habs will get a chance to narrow the gap Thursday night in a much-anticipated battle with their hated rivals.

It will be the first tilt between the clubs since Bruins captain Zdeno Chara slammed Pacioretty in a violent hit that shook the hockey world.

"If you ask Patch, the biggest thing right now is for us to win," Canadiens forward Ryan White said of his injured teammate Wednesday after practice in Brossard, Que.

"We've given ourselves an opportunity to catch these guys and tomorrow's a big four-point night."

The Canadiens (40-27-7) trail Boston (40-22-10) by three points in the race for the Northeast Division lead. The Bruins have two games in hand.

But White admits that Pacioretty, who suffered a severe concussion and a fractured vertebra from the Chara hit, will be on the players' minds.

That doesn't mean they're planning to do anything "stupid" to exact revenge, he said.

But if knuckles start flying, White insists Montreal will be ready.

"We're going to be jacked up," said White, one of the Canadiens' tougher players.

"I know what I have to do to help this team win."

On March 8, Chara drove Pacioretty's head into the stanchion that holds up the glass separating the player's benches at the Bell Centre.

The home crowd fell silent as the 22-year-old winger lay motionless on the ice after the collision. Many hockey fans have said they immediately feared that he was dead.

Doctors told Pacioretty last week that he might be able to return for the NHL playoffs.

Chara was given a major penalty for interference and a game misconduct and the NHL did not impose any additional discipline.

The incident poured fuel on the already fiery debate on how to deal with hits to the head in the NHL.

The league has faced widespread pressure to reduce violence, including stern remarks from Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Thursday's game will also be the Habs' first tilt in Boston since a brawl-filled 8-6 loss on Feb. 9.

The Canadiens, coming off a 2-0 loss to Buffalo on Tuesday, are 4-1 against the Bruins this season.

Boston beat New Jersey 4-1 at home on Tuesday.