(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (4) Boston Bruins
Summary: If the first two games are anything like the rest of the series than it will be one of the most epic Cup finals in recent memory. Two Original Six teams battling for Lord Stanley, needing a total of 16 wins. The President Trophy Chicago Blackhawks cruised by Minnesota in 5, needed a dramatic 3-to-1 series comeback win against the Detroit Red Wings and dethroned the Los Angeles Kings in five. Jonathan Toews has been surprisingly quiet, he did however set up Patrick Kane’s Series Clinching goal. He needs to produce more on the score sheet to be successful. Corey Crawford has had a coming out party in these 2013 playoffs. Along with Rask he was not the goaltender when the team won their cup. Anti Niemi was the goalie in 2010 while Tim Thomas was the goalie for the Bruins in 2011.
While the Bruins and all of their Boston Strong Faithfull’s needed a miraculous game 7 comeback against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they have been on a roll ever since. They soared past the New York Rangers in 5 before surprisingly sweeping the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tukka Rask has been the key story and along with David Krejci’s line has been the story for the B’s. Krejci leads all scores in points and if the Bruins win the cup should be up there with Rask as Conn Smythe worthy.
Blackhawks will win if… Their speed can out weight the physicality of the Bruins. The Blackhawks like most teams in the NHL cannot match the physicality that Milan Lucic and Zedeno Chara bring to the table, the only person that lights any torch to them is forward Brian Bickell. But the Blackhawks are a fast and crafty team. They have the ability to beat you in so many ways because of all the talent they have. The thing that will lead them to another Cup will be their ability to convert on special teams. In game 1 they were 0-for-2 on the Power Play and gave up their first powerplay goal at home in the post season, and they won that game. In game two they held Boston without a power play goal on three attempts but also could not score on two attempts. They will need to take one game at least in Boston and a good PP would help silence the loud Boston crowd.
Bruins will win if… Tukka Rask does not have some mental collapse in the remaining what I believe will be five games. The defense in front of him has been superb all season and surprisingly the Bruins are getting timely goals, something they could not do all season. With the timely goals factored in, it will be up to Rask to be up the challenge and so far so good. Him and Crawford will most likely duke it out for the Conn Smythe and both are deserving of it. Jaromir Jagr has yet to score a goal and he is playing for the Cup.
X-FACTORS
Chicago:
-Dave Bolland
-Jonathan Toews
-Duncan Keith
-Andrew Shaw
Boston:
- Tyler Seguin
- Patrice Bergeron's ability to win faceoffs
-Zedeno Chara
- Daniel Paille & the 3rd line
Conn Smythe Possbilities:
-Boston: David Krejci, Tukka Rask, Milan Lucic
- Chicago: Patrick Kane, Corey Crawford, Patrick Sharp
Prediction: Blackhawks in 7
No comments:
Post a Comment