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| (Photo via zimbio.com) |
1
VS
3
Boston won 1-0
Stanley Cup Finals Schedule:
All games are available on CBC, RDS, NBC and Versus (check your local listings) and have an 8pm EST start time:
1 - Wednesday, June 1 in Vancouver, 2 - Saturday, June 4 in Vancouver, 3 - Monday, June 6 in Boston, 4 - Wednesday, June 8 in Boston, *5 - Friday, June 10 in Vancouver, *6 - Monday, June 13 in Boston, *7- Wednesday, June 15 in Vancouver
*If necessary
What's the story?:
To start this off...it feels good to be right! From the beginning, I picked a Boston-Vancouver final and I wanted to let you know.
It took the Bruins 21 years to get back to the Stanley Cup Final. Least to say they did it in interesting fashion: a couple 7 game series, a sweep and a powerplay that will make you say "How the hell did they make it this far with a PP running at 8.2%?!". The guy they brought in at trade deadline to help with their play on the man advantage has been disappointing. Kaberle (+4) has looked lost on most nights and has taken ill timed penalties (is there ever a good time to take a penalty?) that killed his team's mojo. It isn't all bad news for the Bruins...the catalyst for everything on this team is Patrice Bergeron. As he goes, so does the team. His faceoff prowess (62.3%) and ability to "do all the little things, cause when you add them up they become big things, extremely well" make him irreplaceable. If he goes down at any point in this series, start the parade in Vancity immediately. His linemate Marchand (12 points) has been playing great and Recchi...he's got tons of experience...experience goes a long way...actually it doesn't when you can't execute. Recchi is showing his age on every shift. So here's my recommendation for Julien: Put Recchi on the forth line and throw Seguin in his spot. Mr. Julien, I know you're reading this...stop being a old stubborn man and give the kid time on that line! It's the only way that you will be able to compete in this series. There's no real need to say this, but here it is: Thomas needs to be 100% solid, as well as the D corps (Seidenberg has been absolutely incredible during the Bruins' run. Full marks to this cat). Boston's #1 goalie had one too many lapse in focus and this can't happen at this point in the tourney.
The President's Trophy winners make their first appearance in the Stanley Cup final since 94. Like the Bruins, their biggest challenge came in the 1st round. The reason for their success? They arguably have the deepest team in the league, both offensively and defensively. The role players are killing it, with Higgins (3 game winning goals), Lapierre (63 hits) and Raymond (8 points, +2) leading the way. Malhotra's return after a serious eye injury will be a huge lift for the Nucks as he will solidify the team down the middle. What about those twins? They're doing ok with a combined 37 points in 38 games. The Sedins picked up their game against a very tough San Jose club. The only knock against them is the nasty minus 8 they've collectively amassed. In their defense (ohhhh....nasty pun), Bieksa has talked the talked and walked to a plus 10 since game one against the Hawks. He's been mentioned as a potential Conn Smythe candidate thanks to his tough play and the uncanny ability to join the rush at the right time. Edler has also been a tower of power on the blue line, taking 38 pucks to the body. He is a force every time he hits the ice. Luongo is playing nice and doing his job, which he does very well. He seems much more confident this year. A gold medal around the neck kinda does that to a guy. Last but definitely not least is Mr. Everything for the Canucks, Ryan Kesler. His run in the 2011 playoffs has been Conn Smythe worthy, where he's collected 18 points which is good for 4th overall. It will be bittersweet if Kelser lifts the Cup after the heartbreaking loss to Canada in the gold medal game in the same arena over a year ago. This will not be redemption for Kelser, but will feel great.
Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before you Pick a Winner:
Are we gonna stop talking about the Canucks potentially bringing the Cup to Canada for the first time since 93? ***Spoiler Alert!!!: No.*** Can Boston's defense handle the Sedinian Cycle of Swedish Fury? Will Lucic and Kaberle finally wake up and show the world what they got?
Key Playas and Pretendas to watch:
Bruins Playas: Bergeron, Marchand, Seidenberg, Horton, Krejci, Chara
Bruins Pretendas: Kaberle, Lucic, Reechi
Canucks Playas: Sedin Twins, Kesler, Edler, Bieksa, Burrows
Canucks Pretendas: Torres, Glass
P&B prediction:
It only took 18 years, but Lord Stanley's Cup will find it's way back to the Great White North. Kesler gets the Conn Smythe, Henrik is the first to lift the most prized trophy in pro sports, and Vacouverites lose their f'in minds...all this in 6 games.
-Paqman
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