SCF: (1) Chicago Blackhawks vs (4) Boston Bruins (Blackhawks WIN THE CUP 4-2!)

[V]

I'm shocked it isn't more uneven the other way. Hawks win this, no question.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Milt Schmidt

Not that it changes anything about your argument, but the Bruins beat the Rangers not the Sens.

Milt

Right my mistake although the Rangers aren't exactly world beaters. This looks to be much better than last years final and probably the best since the last time the Bruins were in the final. The Hawks have been the best team in the entire league since day one of the regular season and IMO they have to be the favourites.

[IamNotKenKing]

Apparently the oddsmakers do not agree with the majority.
My account has Blackhawks at 1.71 to win series, and Bruins at 2.20.
I still think Bruins take it. Bigger, stronger, better team defense. Bergeron, Marchand, Jagr will get Toews and Kane off their game.

[djsFlames]

Chicago got through one big, tough, grinding team that was practically limping, with key guys playing injured. I don't see them getting through 2, especially when the second is at 100%, energized and firing on all cylinders. Chara kept Crosby from being any more offensively threatening than a 4th line grinder. And if the Hawks start to get frustrated, don't tell me Toews and Kane won't start doing the same individual, selfish plays etc. And Crosby is better than either. If you saw at all what the Bruins did in shutting down their last two opponents, I don't think Chicago's home ice is going to mean diddly squat.

It'll be fairly low scoring, but I see some 1-0, 2-0 decisions coming in Bostons favor with Rask putting up the cement wall. They'll at least split the two games in Chicago, then the B's will take over at home.

[thefoss1957]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Boston for two reasons:

- Better goaltending
- I just don't see how its physically possible to get past Zdeno Chara

I have a humorous vison of Kane skating circles around Chara like a mouse running around the feet of a giant.

Kane was showing off some video game-like moves as he skated through and around the Kings' D-men...and even after he got spun around like a helicopter after a hip check, he bounced back up, like he was made of pixels.

The question is who do you send Zdeno out against? Kane/Toews? Hossa/Sharp? The 'Hawks have been getting productive shifts from all 4 lines...and scoring from 3 lines. Chara can't be out there for the full 60 minutes.

I really think it will be the speed of the 'Hawk 3rd line. Saad/Shaw/Stalberg, that the B's can't match up to, with having to focus on stopping the 'Hawk top two lines.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

I don't buy in to the O6 snobbery either.

This should however be a good series. Hard to call.

I don't think it's snobbery. I just think the original-6 it a little club, similar to the 7 Canadian teams.

If we celebrated an all-Canadian final, wouldn't that be snobbery too?

[Scoutski]

I can't wait, for me personally this is the best possible series out of the final four over Kings/Bruins, Kings/Pens or Hawks/Pens.

My gut says Chicago, I expect to see at least 1-2 OT games and some serious team efforts, I think the series will be 2-2 before we head back to Chicago where the Bruins squeak out a 1-0 win away before the Hawks rally and take the last 2.

Then 4 days later, Calgary drafts Elias Lindholm and the excitement for next season begins!

[stanleycup1989]

Well, I strongly dislike Boston. So I will just hope Chicago will win.

[Saqe]

Originally Posted by Pointman

Bruins have better goaltender, but so did Kings and it mattered squat.

Don´t know if you watched the Hawks-Kings seriers, but Quick got outplayed by Crawford which I never thought would happen. He let in bunch of extremely soft goals that in the end ended up costing them the game.

If Rask doesn´t go into a slump I don´t see Chicago getting those breaks against Bruins. Should be a tight seriers though.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by dammage79

First time for Hawks and Bruins to meet in SCF. First time in 34 years an original 6 SCF.
NHL is just loving this. Cannot believe they've never met in a SCF.

First time since 1918 that Boston and Chicago have met in a professional sports final.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Yes and I think I'll be watching all the games on NBC.

Jim Hughson will be absolutely sad and depressing as he sits through the torture of this series.

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Ugggh really? I can't stand him. He should've retired years ago. Give me Hughson (as long as its not a Vancouver game) and Simpson. I actually really like Hrudey as a color man this year as well, and that new guy they hired (can't remember his name) is very decent as well.

First of all, NBC will do the first game and then games four to seven. The second and third games will be on NBCSN.

Jim Hughson and Craig Simpson will be in the booth. The unfortunate part is that Glenn Healy will be at ice level. I hope Hrudey is on the intermission panel. The other guy is Garry Galley who usually works with Bob Cole.

[Kiran403]

Hawks in 7.

[Huntingwhale]

I don't really care who wins, but for God's sake I'd like to see an exciting, 7 game series for once. The Conference Finals were extremely underwhelming. Since this is the last series of the season, please make it exciting and eventful. I'm hoping for a game 7 triple OT.

[Stay Golden]

Bruins In 6. They snacked on one bird already, time for another. I'm glad it is not the Kings nothing against the players but that trying to win 1-0. 2-1 is wearing on Hockey fans. If the Bruins and Hawks have a 1-0. 2-1 result in game it won't be because they are not trying to fill each others nets.
Really looking forward to this series it should be some fast paced tough hockey.

[The Swedish Flame]

I think I'll be pulling for the Bruins in this series. Mostly because I think they're the slight underdog.

[Mango]

Boston in 7. Krug scores the double OT winner in the seventh game.

[bubbsy]

the reason i think this will be a good series is that i see the hawks playing a similar speed and tenacious forecheck game similar to the leafs, which did cause the bruins quite a bit of trouble.

that being said, i think the bruins just have too complete a team to not beat anyone in a 7 game series right now.

[Stay Golden]

The Canucks were the President trophy winner just like the Hawks this year, i think Boston will use that to their advantage for rallying the team.
Boston goes into this series as the underdog on paper just like vs the Pens.

The Keith Seabrook matchup should be the biggest challenge for the Bruins.
I think Kane is in for a rough ride vs the Bruins D. Hossa is the guy that concerns me the most as a forward.

[calumniate]

Just waiting for Moon's overrated / underrated analysis before I make my mind up...

Haha! Kidding aside, this one should be a doozy. My gut feeling is the hawks will take it. They don't seem to go very cold in the scoring department.

[dammage79]

I picked the Hawks to win but this Final is a total coin flip for me. Both teams are in high gear. It should at the very least be a very good series.