2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Playoffs assessment: Boston Bruins
After playing a great 2010-2011 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, Boston Bruins made history in the 2011 NHL Playoffs by making an unexpected impact and annihilating some of the highest ranking franchises that were bound for Stanley Cup glory,
even before the postseason began.
It took Boston 39 years to do it, but they finally did, winning their sixth Stanley Cup championship since becoming part of the NHL in 1924. Looking back at one of the most exciting postseasons in league history, we will take a look at what it took for Bruins,
also an original six franchise, to win the most coveted prize in the hockey world.
Finishing off the regular season as the third seed in the Eastern Conference, Boston faced tough competition not only it the North Eastern Division, but also throughout the conference as well. At different points, Bruins faced the rowdy Montreal Canadiens,
who were out for blood after Boston’s captain, Zdeno Chara, seriously injured their young forward, Max Pacioretty, followed by a reminiscent memory against Philadelphia Flyers and a top-notch striking team, Tampa Bay Lightning. Finally it was probably their
biggest challenge ever as they faced Vancouver Canucks, the league leaders in basically everything, but Boston overcame these challenges as a team, which makes them the most sought after team at the moment.
Going up against Montreal in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, Boston faced confusion on whether to stay hard-on against them or play it a little soft. Chara remained quite throughout the series but Bruins emerged successful by coming back after two
straight losses and winning in a close game-seven, 4-3, in overtime.
Boston wanted sheer revenge going in the conference semi-finals against Philadelphia Flyers, a team which eliminated them last year in four straight games. They managed to repeat history, but this time in their favour as Bruin cleanly swept Philadelphia
4-0; in what could have been another seven-game encounter.
Tampa Bay Lightning was probably the biggest challenge to Bruins, and that too unexpectedly. Tampa Bay was coming out of a huge win against Pittsburgh Penguins by winning three straight contests after being down 3-1 after game four. Boston and Tampa Bay
were all tied up after game-four this times and the next three games were extremely crucial but Bruins came out once again by winning a close game-seven, 1-0, and moved on to their first Stanley Cup appearance in over 20 years.
Vancouver Canucks started the series on a high note and won the first two games which without a doubt put them at a dominating position. Boston countered back by winning the next two at home and up until game-six, no team had won at the away turf, which
gave Vancouver a monumental advantage by hosting game-seven at home.
Beating all odds, Bruins won the cup by a huge, 4-0, shutout against the supposedly best team in the league and most surprisingly of all, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Boston Bruins defied history, averted elimination and jumped obstacles in the most shocking ways possible, which had fans all around the world at the edge of their seats with every passing moment. Next season, Bruin have another chance at once again creating
history by becoming the first team to repeat a Stanley Cup championship since Detroit in 1997 and 1998.
Tags: