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BROSSARD, Que. - The Montreal Canadiens were surprised to learn that their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Boston Bruins will start on Thursday night. They were expecting it to start on Friday, and the earlier date made for a busy day of preparations. The special teams unit was on the ice a half-hour early while the main practice went a full hour on Wednesday. "We werent really planning on playing a game (on Thursday), but it all works out better that way," said forward Max Pacioretty. "We were trying to cram in a bit of system stuff as well, so it was a good practice. "We found out (Tuesday) night. I like it better that way. Theres a little less time to think. Were jumping right back into the action. I think thats when I play my best hockey, when Im not thinking." The Canadiens have been idle since completing a sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 22. The Bruins finished off the Detroit Red Wings in five games on Saturday. Although the NHL had not released a schedule, Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin mentioned a Friday start in a television interview this week. The opener was moved up reportedly because Northeastern University has graduation ceremonies at the TD Garden on Friday morning. Game 2 is expected to be played Saturday at 12:30 pm ET, although that has not been confirmed. Pacioretty likes that, too. "I like playing afternoon games," he said. "No meetings in the morning. Not thinking too much about the game. Just going out and playing." The Canadiens will have had eight days off between games. To break the monotony, they held a simulated game day on Monday, with a morning skate followed by an intra-squad game at night. Then they took Tuesday off. "Im about ready to stop practising and start playing," said goalie Carey Price. Christian Kirksey Jersey . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Cheap Browns Jerseys Authentic . -- Arizona coach Bruce Arians says there "were obviously very, very many problems" with the officiating in the Cardinals 24-21 loss at Philadelphia. http://www.cheapbrownsjerseysauthentic.c...takitaki-jersey. -- The defending Canadian womens curling champions squandered an opportunity to take sole possession of first place in the standings Tuesday at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Kyle Kalis Jersey . Off-Season Game Plan looks at what the Blue Jackets may do to build upon last seasons success to return to the playoffs again next year. Pharaoh Brown Jersey .com) - Colorado may be ahead of the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference standings, but they are a club that the Avalanche may want to avoid in the playoffs.Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week they discuss the decision to stop the NFL concussion settlement, the medias indifference to a big boxing match in Montreal, the maturity of Anthony Bennett and NHL outdoor games. Bruce Arthur, National Post: My thumb is up to U.S. federal judge Anita Brody, who this week halted the NFLs concussion settlement with former players. Judge Brody was concerned that with fixed dollar awards for specific ailments for ex-NFL players - a ghoulish list that specifies, for example, up to $3.5 million for Alzheimers, or up to $5 million for ALS - and a $765 million cap on the settlement fund, the money could run out, since its designed to cover 20,000 men over 65 years. Yes, there are ex-players who need help right now, and this could hurt them. But given the seriousness of the settlement, its potential ramifications, and what we still have to learn about what football does to peoples brains, it seems like the least you can do is to double-check the math. Steve Simmons, Sun Media: My thumb is down to us - those of us in mainstream sports media in English Canada - who have ignored the rich and electric Quebec boxing scene. Saturday night, at a sold out Bell Centre, two former world champions, adopted Montrealers Jean Pascal and Lucien Bute, boxed a 12-rounder that most of us outside Quebec and the United States didnt pay any attention to. "This is the Super Bowl of boxing in Canada," said Pascal, the winner, but what he should have said is: this is the Super Bowl of boxing in French Canada. The bout was available live on HBO in the U.S. but not offered live and free across Canada. And not covered by anyone in Canada outside Quebec.dddddddddddd We failed here on a major event: when it comes to boxing in Quebec, we always fail. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated: My thumb is up to Anthony Bennett for uncommon maturity. The surprising first pick in the NBA Draft says he will not object if the Cavaliers send him to the Development League to straighten out his game. Certainly some tidying up is in order. In about 10 minutes a night, the 20-year-old Torontonian has averaged two and a half points and shot a miserable 27 per cent. This is the worst start for a No. 1 overall selection since… well, ever. Most top picks would resist a demotion. Laudably Bennett, who has had his 6-8 frame parked on the bench, has parked his ego at the door. Dave Hodge, TSN: I will need both of my thumbs -- one is up to the NHL for the obvious success of the outdoor games, another of which we can talk about here next week as the Ducks and the Kings play on Saturday at Dodger Stadium. Thatll be followed by the Rangers and Devils at Yankee Stadium next Sunday. And all the hockey fans in the stands at two of baseballs mos