Welcome To The Party Pal: Canucks & Bruins – Game Two

> Snuffed: It wasn’t exactly like the Nashville series, but it walked and talked like it. In Game One the Bruins fired 36 shots at Luongo but none squeezed by him, especially important considering the 14 PIMs Vancouver handed over and the fact Chara was screening Luongo most of that PP time. Whether leaving Chara alone and forcing Boston skaters to shoot from the outside is a strategy that will work again remains to be seen. Vancouver could use another strong outing from the depth, especially the third line where Lapierre was composed, Hansen was the team’s best skater (and first Danish player to skate in a SCF game) and Torres added the GWG. The Sedins may not have scored, but they dictated play and smothered Bergeron’s line at ES. Kesler had the best FO% (59%) of the two teams and Raymond’s speed made him a consistent threat as the game progressed. If Hamhuis doesn’t return it’s possible Bieksa will be paired with Rome and Alberts will play his first SCF game on the third pairing. More of the same from Luongo and the rest of the roster and they’ll be shipping out to Boston with a comfortable series lead. 

> Supprting Thomas: 

Boston couldn’t have asked for more from Tim Thomas, making 33 saves and swatting away many of the high value shots with ease. He can’t be fauled on the game winner as it was partly the result of Julien breaking up Chara and Seidenberg and Boychuk being, well, Boychuk. If Horton/Krejci/Lucic can’t get going, it’ll be imperative that Bergeron’s line has a stronger game and Kelly’s line needs to match up better with Lapierre’s. Don’t be shocked if either Perverley or Seguin swap places with Recchi to generate more offense as the game rolls along. If the PP drys up, they can at least rely on a strong PK effort that bottled up the Vancouver snipers, aided by Boston’s 19 blocked shots. Game One was 18 seconds away from OT, so Boston doesn’t need to adjust too much in order to head home with the split.

> Impress Your Friends With Knowledge!: The last 10 teams to win a Final game 1-0 have gone on to win the Cup 80% of the time. And yes we realize that stat means exactly nothing, but still go impress your friends anyway.