Bruins Canucks predictor

[Metrags]

So what do you think will be the biggest predictor of this years Stanley Cup victor? What will this series center itself around?

Could it be the lackluster PP of Boston? The goaltending (good or bad) of Luongo or Thomas? Im curious to see what factors people think will affect the outcome the most.

:stanley:You can select more than one answer in the poll :stanley:

EDIT:

I do not feel Luongo will be the 'reason' the canucks win or lose, but he is an option here. The series will rely heavily upon the play of TT. He basically needs to continue to stand on his head, but he has done it all year, so I have a lot of faith in him there.

I also feel the B's have proven that they can win without an awesome powerplay. Yes that hurt them against the bolts, but they won without. It will make it harder to win if their PP plays the same way, but it is better to have a poor PP than a poor PK.

Lastly, the series will rely heavily on the player matchups. Specifically on the twins and lucic/bergy. The Sedins will almost certainly never be on the ice without both Bergeron and Chara out there. How well the teams handle eacother's top guns will determine who takes the cup home for July and August.

I purposely didnt ask for 'who wins', I am not interested in popularity

 

[timber09]

I picked "other" as the selection I would have gone for would be "mobility and depth of the Vancouver blueline"

One thing that has not been talked about much but really seems to be the driving force between winning and losing for the Canucks is the aggressiveness and play of their defensemen. When they are making smart pinches, supporting the forcheck and making good steps throught the neutral zone (all of which they have done for the most part) then they are going to be real tough to beat. If they get passive and let the game come to them, well it's going to be a long series.

I don't think there is any one area I would prefer Vancouver to shine at outside of this - they have balanced scoring, play some of the best systems in the league and have a great goaltender (regardless of what the moron talking heads say) - if they are aggressive, they should win this series.

 

[JohnnyDrama]

Big Time Timmy Jim will be the catalyst that drives the B's to their first Cup since the Big Bad Bruins.

 

[blades]

Hope your right Ryan! Being a huge bruins fan; i hope thomas stands on his head, and trumps luongo.Both teams have a strong defensive game. Think that seguin will have a strong series.In the end will be low scoring with goaltending being the major factor. Will go 6 or 7 games

 

[kmitchel]

I think the refs can control this series as well - **NOT** as a conspiracy theory - but if both teams get 4-5 PP chance a game, based on what we've seen the last couple months, the Canucks will score a goal or two and the Bruins likely won't. If the refs "let them play", that advantage obviously will be decreased.

 

[TheBostonKid]

I think the refs can control this series as well - **NOT** as a conspiracy theory - but if both teams get 4-5 PP chance a game, based on what we've seen the last couple months, the Canucks will score a goal or two and the Bruins likely won't. If the refs "let them play", that advantage obviously will be decreased.

If the Bruins are responsible in their defensive duties and avoid stupid penalties by being under control, and can keep the game 5-on-5 them I think they have the advantage. Bruins have been the best even strength team, and with Thomas playing well will be tough.

With that said, the Bruins need to play smart, be aggressive and keep the forecheck up. Chara and Seidenberg will be important, and need to match up with the Sedins well. I have not been on the Seguin bandwagon, but I feel he will have an impact in one of the games. Look out for Bergy, krejci, Campbell and peverly to play big roles too in the circle. Winning face-offs is what has gotten us this far. It allows us to gain and maintain control. Winning faceoffs has been linear to the bruins success.

 

[cards-gotta-go]

Goaltending wins.

Luongo and Thomas have had their moments, but when the chips were down, they stood tall for their teams.

I think you're going to see 1 player from each team who hasn't been talked about much to this point really step up and have a great Final.

Everything else washes out... leaving the goalies. Whoever wins that battle hoists the Cup.

 

[FASTMAX]

For the Bruins to win they MUST, a big MUST, finish checks and play an aggressive game. I'm not talking dirty, just finish the check. The Canucks are good at this but I think they get a little flustered when a team plays this game better than them. Thomas has to play his heart out as well. I am leary of Bergeron and Kreci because of how physical the Canucks are. I can see them not lasting the series. Either way, heres to some exciting hockey.

 

[suncactus9]

Vegas opened the lines at VAN (-210) and it has since moved to (-230), meaning that in order to win $100, the bettor would have to wager $230. Conversely, a bet of $100 on Boston would yield $190....hense BOS (+190).

Vegas would be floored if the Bruins won the series, and so would I. From an outsider's viewpoint, I have never seen a Stanley Cup finals team with as dreadful a special teams as Boston, but to their credit they made it.

Hope we get a 7 game series!