Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Old Time Hockey in the Stanley Cup Finals

Old Time Hockey in the Stanley Cup Finals
By Rob McIntosh
The Stanley Cup finals between the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks will mark the first meeting between Original Six teams since the Montreal Canadiens squared off, and were victorious, against the New York Rangers in the 1979 Finals.  Both teams’ roads to the Stanley Cup this year are fairly similar.  Both teams went through two rounds of the playoffs pretty easy, while one round tested the mettle of both teams.

The “Big Bad” Bruins are led by goaltender Tuuka Rask.  He is coming off perhaps his best series of the playoff season where he allowed only two goals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, a viable cup contender all season long.   While this is impressive, goaltending is not the only aspect of the Bruins game that has helped them to a spot in the finals.  Their ability to roll four lines consistently throughout the playoffs has allowed them to remain fresher than their opponents.  The depth of their team is incomparable, but perhaps the team that they are facing in the finals may be an equal match.

The Chicago Blackhawks were the best team in the NHL during the regular season, winning the Presidents’ Trophy.  Led by All-Star players Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith, the Blackhawks are hoping to continue the scoring momentum that they found in their series against the Los Angeles Kings.  The outburst coincided with putting Toews and Kane together on the same line, getting both players on a scoring surge, in particular Kane who is coming off of scoring a hat trick in game 7.  Obviously, he has turned his game up at the right time.

Being an Original Six matchup, there is a lot of anticipation for this series.  Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville sees tradition playing a large part in this series. 

“The Tradition of the Bruins and the Hawks is special.  I’m sure the rivalry could return instantly come Game 1.”

The players know what’s at stake.  I’m sure the rivalry will develop quickly and the viewers will get a look at some old time hockey!