Come Out To The Coast, We’ll Get Together, Have A Few Laughs…: Canucks & Bruins – Game One

> Own Game One: Vancouver has won all their game one’s this year with Luongo picking up both his shutouts in the first two rounds. With Malhotra sidelined, Vigneault is rolling with a Tambellini/Bolduc/Oreskovich fourth line, thereby suggesting he’s going with speed against brawn again. If true, this game will be decided in the neutral zone where San Jose had no answer to Vancouver’s footspeed and boardwork, especially when the play was initiated by the defense. Boston has a deeper defense and no shortage of guys who can work the body, so it’s certainly an area to watch over 60 minutes. If Vigneault can’t keep the Sedins away from Chara/Seidenberg, it’ll be on Kesler’s line to abuse Ference and Boychuk unless Kesler is assigned shutdown duties on Bergeron. Even with sheltered minutes you have to like the speedier, crash and bang style that Lapierre’s line brings against Kaberle and McQuaid. Bieksa and Hamhuis will have their hands full with the bigger Horton line which does most of the scoring for Boston. Lastly Luongo has to pick up where he left off in game five against the Sharks. It’ll be a battle.

> Ride Game Seven: The Bruins played an almost perfect game seven against Tampa and just need to continue their simple work to steal home ice advantage. Not enough credit has been given to Boston’s scoring depth; outside of Krejci

and Horton, they are getting good production out of Marchand in addition to a backend that has Chara, who leads the team in shots, and Ference (not to mention Kaberle who is their version of Ballard with the exception of his ample PP time). Most of the Bruins analysis centers around Thomas and for good reason. The likely Vezina winner isn’t going to make many mistakes and if Boston can control the play in front of him while staying out of the box, it’ll be exceedingly hard for Vancouver to put one past him. He’s been exceptional for the past four seasons and can steal the series if Boston plays their type of game.

> Impress Your Friends With Knowledge!: Boston is the only original six team Vancouver has yet to ever face in the playoffs.