Stanley Cup Prediction
PLEASE NOTE: WHEN THE FOLLOWING OCCURS IN DRAMATIC FASHION, BLAME CANNOT GO SOLELY ON BLEACHERBUFF EVEN IF HE DID RUIN IT FOR YOU, AFTER ALL, SOMEONE HAS TO GET IT RIGHT.
YELLOW AND BLACK WITH A LITTLE SILVER LINING
- Bruins will take Canucks in 6 games to win first Stanley Cup since 1972
Unlike the extremely boring panel of TSN analysts who went with the safe pick of the Detroit Red Wings defending their title, I balked and chose to go with a team that no one at the start of the year would have even considered. After all, what good is it if the Wings cast of veterans secure another (snooze) championship? The Boston Bruins are a team that has come out of nowhere, from zero to hero. In a world where rock bottom means the only place to go is up the Boston Bruins went straight to the top. They are a team built for the post-season complete with a lineup full of physical behemoths with more grit than a dentist's worst nightmare. Captain 'Big Z' Zdeno Chara, a player spurned by the Ottawa Senators, has established himself as a bona fide leader and intimidating prescence at the blueline. Phil Kessel, one year removed from a battle with cancer is finally starting to meet his sky high potential. Blake Wheeler was let go by the Phoenix Coyotes, a team who had lost patience with his slow development, but has since then came charging out of gates as a possible Calder candidate. Combine that with steady hands from Milan Lucic, Patrice Bergeron Marc Savard and the newly signed Tim Thomas and you're looking at a team that looks head and shoulders above a physically challenged Eastern Conference. It is a team who in spite of their supposed smooth ride to the top of the Eastern Conference have overcome their fair share of adversity, something that will serve them well when they begin their first round series with the Montreal Canadiens.
Rewind back to Dec. 1 2005, possibly the darkest day in Bruins history. Then GM Mike O'Connell (who was fired shortly afterward) trade franchise cornerstone Joe Thornton to the San Jose Sharks for Marco Sturm, Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau, three average to slightly above average players, none who are still with the team. To overcome that kind of epic failure shows the smart drafting along with shrewd trading
This shot at a title ranks Boston among the worlds elite in the world of sports. The 'B's had not long ago worked their way down to 'back page' status taking backstage to the dynasty proven New England Patriots and the 2008 NBA champion Celtics. Being at a Bruins game usually meant you pulled some strings and found yourself a couple of the many free tickets going around in circulation that night, but now its cool to be fan again and the Bruins are a hot ticket in town. Winning a championship woud bewhat the NHL is waiting for and needs.
Many Leafs fans will cringe at my pick for Western Conference Champion, but may just enjoy that fact that Sundin will have the Stanley Cup taken away right in front of his eyes. For the 4th time in 5 years Canada's team will take another Cinderella ride to the finals only to fall short to a less banged up Eastern Conference opponent in the Bruins. Vancouver will take the Blues in 5, knock off the Wings in 7 and beat the Flames in 7 in a physically punishing series. Riding the backs of them will most certainly be Roberto Luongo, the Sedins' and Mat Sundin who won't have much left in the tank after that. Not bad for a franchise who has only made to the finals once in their 38 year history. The feel good story however will be written by a team who is in pursuit of gaining back the rich tradition they once had, on the backs of a kid who never thought he'd live past the year, on a Slovakian who never thought he'd ever get another chance and on a band of fans who are once again proud to wear the yellow and black.
posted by BleacherBuff @ 1:05 PM
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