Bell Centre playoff atmosphere 'can't be matched'

The Montreal Gazette caught up with Canadiens forward Brandon Prust, as he and his team await the second round of the playoffs.

How about that magic of the home rink playoff atmosphere?

“My God, it’s like a normal game at the Bell Centre times 1,000,” Prust said. “It’s like the Bell Centre on steroids. Standing out there for the national anthem, being on the ice here in Montreal, was probably one of the most incredible moments and feelings I’ve ever experienced as a hockey player.

“What happens at the Bell Centre during the playoffs can’t be matched anywhere else in the world.”

Prust shared a funny moment from after Game 4, when the Habs completed the sweep of the Lightning. Prust noted the guys were happy, but exhausted after a long season.

"Not only do the playoffs take a physical toll, they take an emotional and mental toll, too. You saw a lot of exhausted bodies and exhausted faces (Tuesday) night.

“I’ve got to tell you this — taking our equipment off (Brendan) Gallagher says to me: ‘I wish this were like baseball, where we could just pop champagne and spray each other after every round!’ ”

Source: Dave Stubbs, Montreal Gazette