2011 Stanley Cup Finals: Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins series breakdown - Part 1
Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks are all set to face off in the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Stanley Cup Finals after a long and hard journey to the finals that lasted for almost two months. Both teams have high hopes to overcome the other in the
series and for a chance to raise the Stanley Cup above their heads, in glory.
The Stanley Cup is the most respected and well known championship trophy in the ice hockey world today and any team who has a chance at even playing for it should be grateful about the opportunity.
Vancouver wants to celebrate its 40th anniversary on a high note with its first Stanley Cup ever, while Boston is coming back for their second in over 39 years, winning it back in 1972.
Vancouver finished the quarterfinals before Bruins when they eliminated San Jose Sharks in five games.
Boston had to fight Tampa Bay Lightning till the end as the series went into Game 7. Canucks will have the advantage of being well rested along with the home-ice benefit for the first and majority of the games.
Both teams have entered the finals after three tough series which were entirely different in respect for both teams.
Vancouver Canucks showed gradual improvement as it faced near elimination against Chicago Blackhawks, a team that barely made it to the playoffs.
It played better against Nashville Predators and managed to finish them off in six games.
San Jose gave Vancouver an even better opportunity, only winning one game while being eliminated in Game 5.
If Canucks continue its winning streak, it will be able to destroy Boston Bruins in the first four games straight, which it is certainly capable of.
Canucks’ defenseman, Kevin Bieksa, said, "To go to the Stanley Cup Final is a dream come true, and to do it with this group of guys -- our core has been here for seven or eight years working toward something special and we have a huge opportunity in front
of us".
Previous Record
Looking at the previous record of the two teams’ meetings, we see extremely positive trends in favour of Boston.
Bruins have won 83 of 108 meetings between the two teams since Vancouver was officially inducted into the NHL.
During the 2010-2011 regular season, Boston again won its one and only match, 3-1, in Vancouver, on February 26.
This season may yield different results for the Presidents’ Trophy winners as it is Canucks’ best season yet and it truly shows signs of winning.
Boston should not be underestimated since it has entered the Stanley Cup Finals by winning 12 of 18 games.
Experience
Another aspect which goes in favour of Boston is experience.
Vancouver has made it to the playoffs only two times in its 40-year history, once in 1982 when it lost against New York Islanders in four straight games and second being in 1994 against Tampa Bay Lightning which went into a close game-seven, but Canucks
ultimately lost.
Boston, on the other hand, has won five championships and is on the path to their sixth after its last chance, 21 years ago in 1972.
To be continued in part 2
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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