5 things Vancouver Canucks must do to win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Finals against Boston Bruins
Vancouver Canucks is only one single 60-minute game away from winning its first Stanley Cup in its 40-year tenure as a team of the National Hockey League (NHL) and has its first opportunity at creating history in over 20 years. It would truly be sad to see
them lose.
Vancouver, as a city is all pumped up and the fans have taken to the streets to welcome the Stanley Cup back in Canada and especially in their hometown.
Game 7 is scheduled for Wednesday, June 15th, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The league leaders, at the end of the regular season, have that very important home-ice advantage which has been the deciding factor of the series so far.
The only problem seems to be that it has lost in Boston much harder than it was able to defeat Bruins in Vancouver.
Five things Vancouver Canucks must do if it wants to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup for the first time are:
Power Play Advantage
Vancouver Canucks was the best power-play killing and scoring team in the league at the end of the regular season. It still pretty much is but against Boston, it has missed numerous chances that have really gone against Canucks later on in the match.
Vancouver has missed over 12 power-play opportunities throughout the whole series and winning the previous quarterfinals, semifinals and Conference finals were based on its abilities to take advantage of the added man.
Outrun the Bruins
Vancouver consists of young and energetic players in comparison with older and heavier Boston players.
It should take advantage of being faster and tire Bruins out.
Moreover, Tim Thomas plays out of his goalie crease a lot and reaching the net before he does will be the key to scoring goals and outplaying Bruins in Game 7.
Score Early
It is a fact that has been witnessed throughout the NHL Playoff’s series that the team who scores first and gains a comfortable lead is almost always successful in the end.
Naturally, having an early advantage gives the team a piece of mind along with the time to concentrate on its defence.
This also does not mean that it should get overconfident and face a collapse which has also happened many times.
Most of the times when Boston took a lead against Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Finals, Lightning took advantage of Boston’s slacking and came right back to win the game.
Canucks should play its best to avoid such a situation at all times.
Focus on the Game
Throughout the series, Vancouver Canucks has faced remarks and taunts from Boston’s side which is part of the game but it should not let it get into their heads.
The main reason for Bruins winning its home games was its ability to manipulate the players by teasing, taunting and brutally beating on them.
Vancouver should concentrate on focusing on the game and ignore whatever Bruins try to do with them.
Take Advantage of the Home Stadium
Canucks has had success whenever the series returned to Vancouver. Having a home crowd cheering you on and chanting for the teams’ success is always a positive factor which ultimately leads to winning.
Vancouver should fully utilise the crowd’s presence, not only in keeping the arena in full volume, but also to undermine Bruins and embarrass them into losing.
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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