And so it ends…
In 30 short minutes the puck will drop in Vancouver, and what is surely to be a finals for the ages will begin. I’m simply too excited to write any sort of an introduction, let’s get this started!!!
In 4th Place is the man with his name in the URL, who correctly called both series, but got the game numbers wrong, bringing his total to 11 points (and clinching 4th place for the umpteenth straight year!), is Glen!!
Glen Says: After second round let downs last year, these teams entered the season as heavy favourites in their respective divisions with a lot to prove. On the back of Veznia-nominated goaltenders, solid defense and a stacked cast of forwards they both overcame adversity and three tough rounds of the playoffs now though the end is in sight, and it will end exactly as I predicted in October.
For all of the similarities that exist between these two clubs they took complete opposite paths over the past six weeks to get here.
In the first round, they both faced teams that they have a history of underperformed against in the playoffs. One team silenced all doubters in the first three games, then had a near epic collapse, only to win Game 7 in Overtime. The other gave a voice to their doubters in the first two games, then had a near epic rally, only to win Game 7 in Overtime. In the second round, one team had an apparently easy opponent, but was forced to grind its way out winning in six very tight games. The other had an apparently very difficult opponent, but was able to roll over them in four games. In the third round, one team faced an opponent that was very even to them on paper, but was able to win in five on the back of a great powerplay and some very lucky bounces. The other team faced an opponent that was very even to them on paper, and had to overcome a horrid powerplay, and some rough bounces to win one of the best seven game sets in recent memory.
Like everyone else, I’m incredibly excited, not only at the prospect of a Canadian team winning the Cup for the first time since ‘93, but also to watch some great hockey in the process.
Next up we have the Kandahar Connection, who correctly called both series, but got the game numbers wrong (heard that one before?), bringing his total to 12, it’s Troy!
Troy Says: ell it has been an amazing year for both Boston and Vancouver. Vancouver has bean the best in the west from gate to gate while Boston has been a serious contender all year. Boston has pretty much completely erased their incredible collapse last year at the hand of the Flyers. They absolutely destroyed the Flyers in round two and from that point on it was quite obvious that Boston wasn’t going down easy. Boston faced a much tougher-than-expected Tampa team that just wouldn’t quit. It took a 1-0 win in game 7 to finally defeat the Lightning. Vancouver has had an interesting run themselves. Since beating their demons Chicago in overtime in game 7 in the first round Vancouver has begun to roll. The took out Nashville in 6 and San Jose in 5 and they did this without being on all cylinders. In the first two round the Sedins were almost invisible but since then they have finally found their stride and Kesler has been a man on fire so Boston will definitely have their hands full.
In a shocking move, this next participant went 0-2, after dominating the first two rounds, stuck at 12 points is…the Coin!!!
And clinching the win for the 10 zillionth time, is the multi-time champion who correctly called both series, but got the game numbers wrong (what is this, groundhog day?) is Jeff!!
Jeff Says: To be honest, as much as I do not like the Boston Bruins, I am glad it is them in the finals against the Canucks simply because it means a warm climate team is not in the finals. Nothing against the Tampa Players or anything….just would like to see the cup stay in a hockey city…that’s all. If I wanted any warm climate team to win it it would have been the Sharks. Anyways…I am so excited for the finals because I truly believe this is the year the cup comes back to Canada. It is almost fitting that it will be Vancouver bringing it home due to the whole hosting the Olympics the previous year thing that happened with Calgary and Montreal (i bet Toronto put in a bid for the 2022 games lol)…I think Vancouvers team has found its stride, has confidence in itself and I think that is what makes them dangerous…no more doubts…they battled through Chicago and defeated a very good (and big) Sharks team rather easily.
STANLEY CUP FINALS
Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins
Glen Says: How can you not believe in Vancouver now? Loungo has been a beast since Game 7 against Chicago, the Sedins got their groove back against San Jose, and Kesler has been putting on probably the best playoff performance since Brendan Morrow in 2008. Boston will be no slouches here, as you know that they would love to dash the hopes of all Canadians (including perhaps the family and friends of BC Born Milan Lucic). Tim Thomas has continued his season of the ages with a great playoff performance their top line of Lucic-Krejci-Horton has been one of the best over these playoffs, and of course their is the six feet, nine inches of shutdown that will shadow the Sedins. Still though, I think that this one has to go for Vancouver, destiny is on their side, and it’s hard to stop that.
Prediction: Vancouver in 5 (just so they can win it at home)
Troy Says: As for my prediction of the series I feel that this is Vancouver’s year. Having said that though Boston is not going to be easy to take down. Here’s a interesting stat. Vancouver’s round one lasted 7 games, round two lasted 6 games, and round three lasted 5 games. Round 4??? Unfortunately though I don’t see the Canucks beating Boston in 4. Boston will not quit at any point in this series and in all honestly I see the Bruins as the mentally tougher of the two teams. I think Vancouver’s skill and depth will have to pull them through. Canadian teams are 0-3 in the finals in this millennium so I’ve hoping that Vancouver can bring it home. GO CANUCKS GO!
Vancouver in 6
Coin Says: Boston in 7
Jeff Says: Boston is a good team, but I think the Canucks can dominate the matchups. Luongo will keep them in games and the Offense (most notably the powerplay prowess) will keep the Bruins heavy checking players at bay because they will have to play disciplined. In some ways, Vancouver can probably take a few more chances judging by the lack of powerplay prowess Boston seems to have…so maybe that will be quite the advantage to Kesler and his boys (even the Torres line). I’m not sure what Boston plans on throwing at the Canucks…I’d like to say Boston will put up a fight, but, I lean heavily towards Vancouver making this a short series. I have obviously been wrong before, but am gonna go out on a limb here…Vancouver contines the countdown….7-6-5…….
Vancouver wins in 4 and the Cup comes back home!!!!!!!
(I must also say I wish the the NHL could adopt a 2-3-1-1 game set so the home team can have a chance to win the cup at home in a sweep or 5 game series…..who wants to win on the road???? Come on now NHL!!!!)
It’s been a blast again doing the playoff roundup 
Till next year!
Until next time,
G
Tags: canada, Hockey, predictions, Stanley Cup
