One is a team of determination; the other is a team of destiny.
When the Boston Bruins face off against the Chicago Blackhawks, it will represent the first time in NHL history that these two Original Six franchises have met in the Stanley Cup Finals, and the first time they have played each other since October 2011.
Although, judging by the road these two teams took to get to the big show, none of that will play a factor.
The High Road
Since their opening round hiccup against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the unlikely game 7 comeback, the Boston Bruins have been able to exert their will on any team that they have faced. They used their depth against the New York Rangers, a series that cost coach John Tortorella his job. They used their goaltending and defensive prowess to shut down a high flying Pittsburgh Penguins team, a series that has Penguins coach Dan Bylsma looking over his shoulder.
A big part of the Bruins success stems from the man in net, Tuukka Rask. There were a lot of questions coming into this season after Tim Thomas’ dubious hiatus and eventual departure. It seems that Bruins fans and media believed that Thomas walked on water, could turn water to wine, and raise the dead, all along with being the only goaltender that could lead the Bruins to a Stanley Cup.
There was Tuuka Rask, standing in the shadows all along. When this season began, it seemed that Rask was simply just waiting for his chance to make his own legend in Boston. His stats tell the story, with a 1.75 GAA, and a .943 save percentage. He has shown remarkable poise and stability in net, simply making the saves when he has to.
After they swept the Pittsburgh Penguins, everyone in the media talked about how the Pens didn’t show up for the conference finals. I present a differing perspective. A lot of the reasons the Pens are about to hit the golf course instead of the ice at United Center start with the Boston defense. Let’s put aside Neanderthal and team captain Zdeno Chara, and lets take a look at their depth. Is there a better example of this than Torey Krug? Where the hell did he even come from? Krug was a pleasant surprise during the series against the Rangers. Even with the injuries to the Bruins blue line coming into the second round, the Bruins were able to fill those roster spots with players that were as good or better (Who wouldn’t take the Krug for Redden trade-off?).
Q-Stache and the Puck of Destiny
If you talked to me two weeks ago, this writer was convinced, and I mean without any reservation, that the only team that could end the Chicago Blackhawks’ scheduled date with destiny was the Los Angeles Kings. Boy, was I wrong.
The Hawks, who were coming out of a gutsy comeback series win against the out-matched Detroit Red Wings, were just too much for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who spent the series playing an extremely fast and surprisingly physical game, which put the Kings back on their heels. With the Hawks’ Presidents Trophy win, and the winning streak to open the season, it seemed like they were destined to be in this spot. Sure, there have been questions about Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and their production. But, like all the doubts surrounding Corey Crawford’s ability to consistently perform at a high level, reality sets in and you remember how the Hawks have gotten so far so fast. In these finals, with the physicality the Bruins are known for, look for Bryan Bickell, who could be a poor man’s Milan Lucic, to continue to figure in the Hawks’ success in a big way. Also look for Joel Quenneville to out-coach his Boston counterpart, Claude Julien.
Depth
In players like Andrew Shaw, Brandon Saad, Viktor Stalberg, Michael Frolik, Marcus Krueger, and others the Hawks have some of the best depth in the league. However the same can be said about players like Rich Peverley, Chris Kelly, Dan Paille, Shawn Thornton and the players who make up the Bruins third and fourth lines. The battle of two teams rolling four quality lines will be an intriguing matchup going forward.
The Bottom Line
They took different roads to get here, but at the end of the day, the Hawks are a team on a mission. Corey Crawford will outplay Rask, the Hawks will outscore the Bruins in the end. The Hawks are familiar with playing team that rely on a heavy game, and they’ve succeeded. The Bruins shut down the Pens, but they were able to because the Pens have issues in goal, and play poor team defense. The Hawks have no such issues. Look for the Hawks to take this series in a seven game classic that will finish erasing the bad taste in all of our mouths left by the lockout.
At the end of the day, isn’t that what this season is all about?
Here’s what some of my colleagues think:
Max Vasilyev: Hawks will win in six: Chicago is faster and deeper than any team the Bruins faced. The delusion that the Bruins can hit harder than the Hawks, well…we saw how well that worked for LA Kings. You saw what a fast team did to the Bruins in the first round when the Leafs were literally seconds away from an upset in game 7. Hawks have the same speed but much more skill. Look for Nick Leddy to be a difference maker on the blue line.
Mitch Tierney: Hawks in 6: The Blackhawks are the adversary that the Bruins have yet to face since getting a glimpse in the first round. They are good in all areas and will not be so easily affected by Boston’s physical play. Furthermore, they have already overcome defensive teams in these playoffs. Boston has plenty of momentum going into this series too, but simply not enough to counteract a hungry Hawks team.
Michael Kovacs: Bruins in 6 – The Hawks have unparalleled talent, but the Bruins are playing with no holes. They are scoring, have excellent face-off guys, a goalie playing fantastic (anyone feel confident with Crawford, really?), a beast of a shut-down guy, and the fact that they are going to HAMMER THE F out of Chicago.
Ben Kerr: Hawks in 7. The original six matchup is extremely close. The two teams both come in red hot, with the Bruins winning 9 of their last 10 and the Hawks winning 7 of their last 8 games. The Hawks have been the best team in the NHL from day 1, and while both teams are close, I think the Hawks depth will give it to them in the end.
Matt Fish: Hawks in 7 – it wouldn’t take much to reverse the prediction, but the Hawks were the best team in the league this year and have shown that they can play any style and win. They can outpace you with speed, outscore you with their depth or grind you into oblivion with their third and fourth lines. The defensive groups are well-matched, and it will be interesting to see which line gets the Chara treatment in bulk for the first game or two, and if it stays that way. The only thing I can see undoing the Hawks might be goaltending – not that Crawford is playing poorly, but if Rask can steal a game or two for the B’s, who knows. Still, go with Chicago.
Aaron Wrotkowski: Hawks in five – The Blackhawks have a stronger scoring game, a comparable defensive game and their only truly glaring hole is their power play. Boston is by no means a weak team and has every bit of ability to win this but I see Chicago’s offensive style as poison to the lack of speed on the Bruins blueline.
| Wed., June 12 | 8 p.m. ET | Boston Bruins | Chicago Blackhawks | NBC, CBC |
| Sat., June 15 | 8 p.m. ET | Boston Bruins | Chicago Blackhawks | NBCSN, CBC |
| Mon., June 17 | 8 p.m. ET | Chicago Blackhawks | Boston Bruins | NBCSN, CBC |
| Wed., June 19 | 8 p.m. ET | Chicago Blackhawks | Boston Bruins | NBC, CBC |
| *Sat., June 22 | 8 p.m. ET | Boston Bruins | Chicago Blackhawks | NBC, CBC |
| *Mon., June 24 | 8 p.m. ET | Chicago Blackhawks | Boston Bruins | NBC, CBC |
| *Wed., June 26 | 8 p.m. ET | Boston Bruins | Chicago Blackhawks | NBC, CBC |
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