Thomas crams for Canadiens

WILMINGTON -- Goalie Tim Thomas will be taking a crash course on the Montreal Canadiens before tonight's game at the Garden and Saturday's visit to Montreal.

''I haven't been watching too many games," Thomas said yesterday. ''I have the NHL [television] package in Providence but I have usually been watching other games. I'm sure I will be watching the video recorder and getting to know their tendencies. I will try to be ready for whatever they throw at me.

''They are a team that we are competing against for the playoffs. When you play Anaheim and Dallas, they are out of your division. You need the 2 points, but playing Montreal is a 4-point swing, so each game is huge. I don't really know what to expect as far as the rivalry goes, but I am going to approach it like any other game. I know at home the fans appreciate a good showing."

Thomas has a 6-2-1 record as the Bruins' starter.

''It's all about timing," he said. ''The team has been playing great since I've been here. The goalie can't do it without the team, it's not even close. We feed off each other."

Montreal goalie Jose Theodore, though, has been struggling. The Canadiens are 2-5 and have been outscored, 33-18, since Jan. 16. Montreal has surrendered 6, 7, 3, 3, 3, and 8 goals in its last six games.

''Every goalie goes through periods like that," Thomas said. ''I went through it in the preseason and at the beginning in Providence. Part of it was the equipment change from Finland and part of it was being sent down [to the minors], I didn't expect it. If you are fortunate enough, it happens in preseason or at a time of the year when your backup is playing well. You go through a couple weeks and nobody knows it's happening to you because it's happening in practice."

Bruins coach Mike Sullivan expected Thomas to succeed.

''I had [Thomas] in Providence and we realized how good he is," Sullivan said. ''He has taken advantage of the opportunity, he has embraced the challenge, and has been a key part of the team getting points.

''From my standpoint, the most important thing is that he stops the puck. There are different styles of play at all positions and at the end of the day it comes down to being successful at what you do. He is an aggressive player and he's been playing more under control, and that allows him to maintain his position for the second save, and that has improved his game. Controlling the rebound is important -- it is so important to swallow the puck as a goaltender, because that is the toughest area to defend. It makes defending a lot easier for everyone involved. Competing here on a daily basis, he can't help but continue to get better."

Sullivan is expecting a difficult test against Montreal.

''Every game has meaning," he said. ''Every game is important. Ottawa [which the Bruins beat, 5-0, Monday] was a good team and Montreal is a good team with good players that all have pride."

Beats them, joins them

Josh Langfeld has been a spoiler in previous visits to Boston. But tonight, Langfeld will be a member of the Bruins, who claimed him Tuesday off waivers from San Jose.

Langfeld converted the deciding goal as Michigan defeat Boston College in overtime in the 1998 NCAA final, and scored the first two goals of the game, his only two of the season, in San Jose's 6-2 victory over the Bruins Jan. 10.

But Langfeld also has reason to feel at home, joining several former San Jose teammates with the Bruins.

''They are all great guys," he said. ''I was next to Wayne [Primeau] in the [San Jose] locker room, and I'm glad he is here. They have all done well and I hope I can do the same.

''I had a good time there but now I am here and it's a good opportunity to play. This is a hockey environment and that is what you want to be in as a player. After being in Minnesota and Michigan, the weather is nice every day in San Jose, but you don't feel like you are going to a hockey environment."

Langfeld, though, did not expect to be leaving the Sharks.

''They said it was not my fault," he said. ''They said I should be playing every day in this league. They were happy with my play. It was shocking. It surprised a lot of guys, but I am putting that behind me and looking forward to being here."

Rolling along

The Bruins' victory in Ottawa improved their record to 6-2-1 since Jan. 13, and they are 4-1, outscoring opponents, 17-10, since Jan. 21. After being outscored, 14-3, in a three-game stretch Jan. 10-14, the Bruins have scored at least three goals in seven of their last eight contests.

''In this league today you see a lot of teams going on streaks, five or six games winning or losing," Langfeld said. ''The Bruins are doing well and I am happy to be a part of it. San Jose has had a couple tough losses and who knows what the future holds for them. But I am not looking back on it."

Foot measures up

Glen Murray, who has not played since Jan. 10 because of a bruised foot, will return to the lineup tonight. ''We hit bottom [with losses to San Jose Jan. 10 and Los Angeles Jan. 12] but now the guys are playing hockey instead of worrying about doing certain things," he said. ''When you have that confidence it makes the difference in your game. When you know you can beat teams on any given night, it's a different game. Everyone here is on top of their game and I just need to come in and help out. No question [Thomas] is playing with confidence, and when the goalie shows that confidence it goes through the whole team." Murray has two goals and six assists since Nov. 23 . . . Brian Leetch's status will be a game-time decision, according to Sullivan. Leetch (groin) exited the Ottawa game in the third period after producing an assist.