For the first time in a while, the Bruins will play the Montreal Canadiens with first-place on the line Saturday night.

The B’s arrived in Montreal with the first-place Canadiens (the B’s, Habs and Senators all have 22 points but the Habs have games in hand on both) reeling a bit, having lost their last two games at the Bell Centre be a combined score of 12-1.

That may not be the best sign for the B’s, as they’re sure to encounter a desperate Habs team when they face off in the first matchup of the season between the ancient rivals.

“I think every game is going to be a battle. “But when I saw two night’s ago they were losing 7-0 (to Dallas), that’s not a good sign,” coach Marco Sturm told reporters in Montreal with a chuckle. “But for us it’s a rivalry game. It’s great to be here. Either way, they’re going to be ready and we have to be sure we’re matched up.”

Jeremy Swayman will be back in net for the Bruins while the only change among the skaters will be Jonathan Aspirot going in for Henri Jokiharju. A left shot, he’ll play on the right side on the third pairing with Mason Lohrei. It will be Jokiharju’s first healthy scratch of the season.

Aspirot, a Montreal area native, had been a scratch the last two games but he had played very well in his six games since being called up from Providence. The last game he played was in Toronto last Saturday when he also manned the right side next to Lohrei.

“He didn’t do anything wrong,” said Sturm. “He was really excellent and now I just want to give him the opportunity to play here.”

Aspirot expects a big crowd of friends and family.

“I’m super-excited,” said Aspirot. “I’ve heard some great stories about playing here. It’s a great atmosphere to play in here at the Bell Centre. It’s going to be a great night with a lot memories to be made.”

The Habs, meanwhile, have hit a gut-check moment in their season. Not only have they been blown out in their last two games, they lost forward Alex Newhook, off to a good start (6-6-12), indefinitely to a broken ankle suffered in Thursday’s blowout loss.

The goaltender matchup is expected to be Swayman against Sam Montembault, who has struggled this year with an .857 save percentage and 3.61 GAA. But the Habs have some of the most electrifying young offensive talent in the league in forwards Cole Caufield and Ivan Demidov and former Boston University defenseman Lane Hutson.

Puck drop is 7:15 pm.