Game 7!!!!

Well, this series has gone exactly where I figured it would go, but some of the scores were not expected to be what they were (ie. Boston 8, Vancouver 1). You couldn't ask for a better Stanley Cup Final, at least within the last 5 years. Two Vezina trophy contending goaltenders, Roberto Luongo and Tim Thomas have easily been the difference in this series even though it is tied up.

Starting off with the netminders, it has been a no contest. Tim Thomas has continued his stellar performance throughout the season and postseason and unless the Canucks find a way to rattle him, because right now his confidence is through the roof. With a goals against average just above 2.00, and a postseason-leading .937 save percentage, Thomas is on fire and it's going to take something special to cool him off. And his aggressive style of play shows 2 things.
1. He's not afraid to get into a scrum to find the puck and make the save.
2. He trusts his defensemen to cover angles that might be too far for him to cover due to his aggressive play.
Luongo on the other hand has had his struggles, more specifically in Boston, so he should be a little grateful that game 7 will be in British Colombia. Luongo has been pulled twice this series, which surely has knocked him back mentally, especially after what he said about Thomas the day before game 6. Boston got to him early and often game six and got him off the ice before the 10 minute mark of the 1st period, scoring 3 times on only 8 shots. Granted some of these goals followed some sloppy play from Vancouver, as well as some undisciplined actions (Alex Edler: Boarding, Team penalty: Too Many Men) but Luongo was beat clean on the short side from not the best angle on a shot by Brad Marchand at even strength. I do not believe this will happen, but keep Vancouver's backup, Corey Schnieder in the back of your head because he might get some time on the ice. And I'm using might very loosely because it still is game 7.

Vancouver needs production from it's top line. I think everyone can agree with me there. Henrick Sedin has only 1 point this entire series and it didn't mean too much to his squad because they were already down 4 goals in the 3rd period. And his Twin Brother, Daniel, has only 2 points this series (0g, 2a). I'm not saying a comeback was totally impossible but Tim Thomas is too good of a goalie to let that happen. Boston has had no trouble getting pucks in the net, in Boston, but Vancouver has been a different story. The Bruins have only 2 goals in the Rogers Centre which leads some concern that there could be a repeat of games 1 and 5. Boston has the depth to score in this series with at least 9 players, give or take, with a goal. As well does Vancouver, but the real difference is that when Boston wins...it's an absolute shellacking. And when the Canucks win...they squeak out of a dead lock in either overtime, or late in the 3rd period.

Offensive Keys to the game:
Van: Get Boston's D-men tired, to try and force them out of position and knock in a few around Thomas.
Bos: Get to the net early!! Rattle Luongo off his game.

X-Factors:
Van: Jannik Hansen... Most people would say either of the Sedin twins, but they are expected to perform, and granted they haven't shown much this series, Game 7 is do or die. Here's my opinion with Hansen...Because Vancouver lost Mason Raymond in game six due to a fractured Vertebrate, Hansen is now up on the second line with Ryan Kessler and Christopher Higgins...Expect Hansen to give that line some more body to push Boston around a little more. If he can manage to win the puck down low, Hansen can then make some nifty passes into the slot or back to the blue line.

Bos: Mark Recchi... Originally I was going to pick Chara on this but considering Boston's lack of scoring in Vancouver, they will need the guy who's won the cup twice to help lead Boston to the back of the net. Recchi is that man, with 3 assists in game 6 Recchi has proved to still be a playmaker and can provide scoring opportunities which Boston will need in Vancouver

Boston wins in Overtime 2-1, goal by David Krejci, and the Cup stays in the states.

Let me know what you think!!! I'm open for conversations!!!