As you can tell the Bruins are in the playoffs, which means that a good chunk of my future posts will be dedicated to the Bruins-Habs series. Nevertheless, this will most likely stop once the Bruins are out of the playoff picture. I will give you my own NHL playoff prediction of all 8 series (East and West). However, I will only give you an analytical analysis, or at least close to it, of the Bruins-Habs series.
East:
1. Montreal v. 8. Boston (MTL lead 3-2)
Game 1: Boston 1 - Montreal 4
Game 2: Boston 2 - Montreal 3
Game 3: Montreal 1 - Boston 2
Game 4: Montreal 1 Boston 0
Game 5: Boston 5 Montreal 1
Game 6:
Game 7:
As many of you know by now, I am an avid Boston Bruins fan and have been for a dozen or so years. That being said, the best of me (biases) persuades me to chose or atleast hope for an upset which means a Boston series victory. However, it is quite obviously who is and should be the favorite to win the series: that team is Montreal. I believe that Montreal will win in 6 games. However, do not think for one second that this will be a walk in the park for Montreal. Far from it. Yes, Montreal has won 11 straight against Boston dating back to last season, but as I have mentioned and stressed this countless times, the playoffs are a different atmosphere, a different ball game so to speak. For Bruins fans looking at our record against the Habs, 0-7-1, is not a pretty figure. I know that many habs fans, if not, all, believe that Montreal will have an easy series that will last no longer than 5 games: if lucky, the bruins will push for a game 6. I beg to differ. Though I have chosen for Montreal to win in 6 does not mean that I have lost faith in Boston. You can look at this series in several ways. Looking at it realistically then one will chose Montreal to win it easily, maybe a series sweep, maybe in 5. My prediction that Montreal would win in 6 games is a realistic prediction, which may be the wrong thing to do because so many other important factors must apply. Besides the fact that Boston would have a better record (superior one) than Montreal had the Bruins not faced the Habs this year, one must look at this fact: Boston have NOTHING to lose. Nothing. Ziltch. The worst teams to face whether it is in the season or in the playoffs are those who are eliminated or are the underdogs respectively.
If we look at Boston one may and should see a team that has resurrected against all odds. If you thought that Montreal fought against all odds by reaching first, which is a huge accomplishment, wait until you hear about Boston. Since the lockout Boston has stunk up the place. Seriously. Bad management as always, horrible coaches (Sullivan and Lewis) and so on. However, this year was a little different. The Bruins acquired a number one goalie, Manny Fernandez, and signed a fighter/fourth line player, Shawn Thornton. Yes, I know, not that big of a change. The Bruins has got a new coach, Claude Julien, whom I disliked but didn't know much about. Then came all the predictions from the so-called hockey experts. Who were predicted to finish last in the EAST? None other than Boston. Keep in mind they chose Boston to finish last with a FULL TEAM. Now, Montreal was not chosen to make the playoffs by most so-called hockey expects. Montreal was classed between 9-11th spot. So, the season begins and nothing went right for Boston. Patrice Bergeron, arguably Boston's best forward, gets a concussion and is out for the year. Manny Fernandez plays 4 games before hurting his knee: he is out for the year. Ever since the 9th game Boston has never played with a full team. Never. Glen Murray misses 20 games, Aaron Ward (D) misses about the same amount, Andrew Ference (D) constantly hurt, misses 20+ games, Zdeno Chara misses 5 games, Tim Thomas misses about 8 games, and the list goes on. Against all odds we make the playoffs. Boston, with half a team, make the playoffs. How about that? Why did they make it? Claude Julien said, "There are teams that are out of the playoffs but have a better roster than us. The reason why we are in the playoffs and they are not is because of TEAM WORK."
A team with nothing to lose against a team, the favorites to win the series, who have dominated the Bruins for the past 2 1/2 years and are 23-7 in playoffs series. If Boston win, it will be in 7 games. And the reason why they would win is because of TEAM WORK.
Yes, I have chosen Montreal in 6, but I will not be surprised at all if Boston win the series.
2. PIttsburgh v. 7. Ottawa
Key players: Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh in 6.
3. Washington v. 6. Philadelphia
Key player: Cristobal Huet and Ovechkin. Washington in 6
4. New Jersey v. 5. Rangers
Lunqvist v. Brodeur. Rangers will win in 6
WEST:
1. Detroit v. 8. Nashville
Nashville has nothing to lose, which makes it much harder for Detroit. I'm going with an upset: Nashville in 6.
2. San Jose v. 7. Calgary
Key player: Joe THornton, but watch for Patrick Marleau to explode. San Jose in 6
3. Minnesota v. 6. Colorado
Key player: Marian Gaborik. Minnesota in 5
4. Anaheim v. 5. Dallas
Key player: Giguere and Pronger. Anaheim in 5
9 comments:
Instead of making an entire post about the loss/win of the Bruins-Habs series, I'll just post my comments here.
ARGH!! Bruins lose 4-1. Sloppy game from Tim THomas and the entire Bruins players. Argh. I am and I was frustrated. The first two Habs goals were cheesy: Damn it Thomas you SHOULD have had those. Nevertheless, you played very well afterwards.
Game 2:
Boston loses 3-2. A controversial game that should have gone in Bosotn favor to win. Boston played much better than the last game, and to think they would have won it when they tied the game......unfortunately, the refs ceased the opportunity. The refs stunk hardcore, even the entire Montreal team (Carbo and Price to name a few) admit it. The refs called bad penalties against Boston in the dying seconds of the third and early in overtime. You may think that I am being biased but read Carbbo's or Price's comments.
Game 3:
Boston win 2-1 in OT
A well deserved win, though the game should have never gone to OT. In fact, the Habs goal should have never counted because seconds before Kostopolous scored a Habs played cross-checked a Bruin who did not have the puck. Also, there were so many penalties that should have been called but weren't. What a surprise, as if the refs have done a good job this series. In a nutshell, Boston completely dominated the Habs. Montreal had some momentum in OT, but Tim Thomas shut them down.
My 3 stars:
1. Milan Lucic
2. Tim Thomas
3. Carey Price
Price saved the Habs from an embarrassment.
Game 4:
Montreal 1 Boston 0
I promise that I won't criticize the officiating or anything for that matter. IN fact I praise the Bruins for their effort in the past three games even though they did not get the result they merited.
Three stars for Game 4:
1. Carey Price (Stoned Boston and kept MTL in the game)
2. Tim Thomas (Brilliant but not as good as Price)
3. Peter Schaefer (Brilliant along the boards)
Game 5:
It was a must win for Boston to stay alive, and it was also a must win for Montreal to eliminate Boston once and for all. However, Montreal failed to do but. Carey Price, who came big in the previous 4 games, experienced his worst outing, perhaps his worst in his NHL career. Soft goals, including his giveaway in front of the net and a horrible angle goal. Boston were not at their best, but when they had the chance to score they made it count.
Boston 5
Montreal 1
Montreal leads series 3-2. Game 6 in Boston on saturday. GO BOSTON GO
My 3 stars for Game 5
1. Tim Thomas
2. Glen Metropolit
3. Phil Kessel
Honorable mentions; Alexei Kovolev and Shane Hnidy
Game 7:
Read my post : "Game 7 baby, Game 7" for all the detail.
Great victory, no doubt. The one thing I love about the Boston Bruins is that they NEVER give up. NEVER.
3 Stars:
1. Phil Kessel
2. Marco Sturm
3. Christopher HIggins
Game 7:
Montreal win 5-0
Boston did not play great, but they were not as bad as the score states. They tested Price early, and wow did this kid shine for Montreal. Honestly, if it weren't for Price it would have been a completely different game. Good chance Boston would win.
3 stars:
1. Carey Price
2. Saku Koivu
3. Mike Komisarek
Nevertheless, I am still proud of the Boston Bruins. What a team. They proved everybody wrong. I tip my hat to Claude Julien and the Boston Bruins.
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