Stanley Cup Finals Preview

After a long NHL season, the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins are the final two teams that have a chance to hoist the Stanley Cup.

            It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. We’re just about in June, school’s coming to a close, the weather’s starting to finally improve and the Stanley Cup Finals are here. Vancouver and Boston have taken two very unique approaches to get to the Finals. The Canucks nearly blew a 3-0 series lead, but hung on to edge Chicago in 7 and easily dismantled Nashville and San Jose in 6 and 5 games respectively. Boston’s had a bit of a tougher climb. The Bruins battled through the Habs in 7, took full advantage of the Flyers goaltending soap opera in 4 straight and barely snuck by the Lightning in a thrilling 7 game series. So far my predictions are 3-3, so the Finals will decide my fate as well.

Vancouver (1) vs Boston (3)

Season Series: 1-0 Bruins

            This is Vancouver’s first appearance in the Finals since 1994. However, this time around the Canucks are the favourites. They’ve proven that they’ve been the best team all season and this is their final test.  During Vancouver’s past two series, one player has been the go-to hero. Against Nashville, Ryan Kesler notched 11 points in 6 games, while Henrik Sedin tallied 12 points in the Canucks 5 game trouncing over the Sharks. If Vancouver wants to win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, both of these players will have to come up big.

            If you thought the Canucks already had a lot of depth, think again. In what seems to be a minor medical miracle, Manny Malhotra appears to be ready to rejoin the lineup for Game 1. He has missed all of the playoffs with an eye injury, which some originally thought could permanently damage his vision. The Mississauga, Ontario native brings more depth to the Canucks lineup and is an excellent penalty killer.

            The Bruins are back in the Finals for the first time since 1990. They’re also on a championship-less streak of their own, as their last Stanley Cup victory was back in 1972 when Bobby Orr scored his famous goal flying through the air. Ironically, the last time these teams lost in the Stanley Cup Finals, Mark Messier was the opposing captain lifting the Stanley Cup over his head at the end of the series. The Bruins are another team that has a lot of depth. Boston's forwards not only have skill, but they have the will too. All of their defensemen know their roles and play them well. However, Vancouver’s core of agile forwards may be too much for the Bruins to handle.

Tending the Twine

            I think this series is going to be won in net. There’s a huge difference between these two teams. For Boston to win the Stanley Cup, Tim Thomas will have to steal some games and be their best player. He’s had a remarkable playoff run so far, but on several occasions he’s allowed a weak goal at the wrong time.

            The Canucks are a different story. Roberto Luongo has been solid throughout much of the playoffs and after round one, he hasn’t individually lost a game for the Canucks. What I mean by this is that his performance hasn’t been the reason Vancouver’s lost a game. That’s all he has to do moving forward this series. Plus, he’s got the unlimited potential to put his team on his back and steal a few games of his own (case in point, making 54 saves in the Canucks clinching victory over San Jose).

            Montreal hosted the 1976 Olympics and the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup the next year. Calgary hosted the 1988 Olympics and won the Stanley Cup in 1989. Of course, Vancouver hosted last year’s Winter Olympics in what was one of the most exciting two weeks in Canadian history. Will the Canucks follow the trend set by the Canadiens and Flames? I think so.

Final Prediction: Canucks in 6