Stuff for Sports Fans

The Stanley Cup Finals are set and we have the Boston Bruins versus the Vancouver Canucks. Let’s take a look at the series to see how it will play out.

Overall

The Canucks were the top team based on pretty much any measure for the duration of the regular season. The playoffs have proved a bit more of a task as the team has necessitated to prove it may play in a playoff atmosphere game after game. It scarcely got out of the introductory round before beating the defending champs in the Chicago Blackhawks. The team the scored a bit of luck as it had to only beat an offensively challenged Nashville Predators and defensively challenged San Jose Sharks. Still, the team now stands on the cusp of it is original Stanley Cup as it faces the Bruins

The Bruins had an up and down season. It they started tardily versus the Canadians before whitewashing the Flyer and then surviving versus a very game Tampa Bay Lightening team. The Bruins begin and end with Zdeno Chara, who epitomizes their team – big, physical, skilled…but not so quick.

Goalies

Boston has a big vantage in this area of the ice. Roberto Luongo is good for at least one horrific gaffe or goal a game and his selfconfidence is effortlessly shaken. He is not a technical keeper, so selfconfidence is critical and his has been shaken time and again.

Tim Thomas is not a gift technical keeper either, but he is exceedingly convinced and competitive. He may give up a goal by being out of position from time-to-time, but that is in regards to it. Look for Vancouver to try to make the extra pass to beat his aggressiveness, but Boston’s defensemen are applied to that by now.

Advantage: Boston

Defense

The Bruins are led by perennial Norris Trophy nominee Zdeno Chara and a host of intermediate defensemen. Chara plays so much time that the quality of the others doesn’t in truth matter. This makes the defense very strong, but there are inherent questions. Thomas Kaberle has been an unmitigated disaster since coming over from Toronto. Look for the Canucks to try to isolate him versus fast forwards.

The Canucks are touted as having a spectacular defense. I don’t in truth see it. They are a workman like group if anything, but also very effective. They have no player who even remotely measures up to Chara, but they are better overall when each player is taken into account. They have to be with Luongo in goal.

Advantage: Boston, but just by a bit.

Offense

The Canucks without doubt or question believe that offense wins games. Much is said with regards to the Sedin twins, but suppose Boston to shut them down easily. The key to beating the Sedins is to give them no room and Boston will do that different from San Jose. Having said that, this is a series for players like Kessler and you may suppose him and his fellow grinders to run the non-Chara Bruin defensemen into the walls and in circles.

The Bruins offense is more traditional. They have the big power forwards, but little speed to speak of. The centers are solid, but not great. For Boston to score versus Vancouver, the key will be to get into Luongo’s kitchen and launch shots from the point. If they don’t do that, it could be a long series.

Advantage: Vancouver

Power Play

Vancouver has an magnificent power play because the Sedins get space to work. The Boston power play is like something out of a horror show. This is a big vantage to the Canucks and in all likelihood the series decider.

Advantage: Huge for Canucks

Prediction

This is a series regarding speed and skill versus brawn and better goaltending. Sorry Boston, but not this year. The Canucks take it in five or six games.

Boston Bruins Pail Gift Set Image

Boston Bruins Pail Gift Set Photo

Boston Bruins Pail Gift Set Image

Boston Bruins Pail Gift Set Picture