Music: {allcanada} Preview: Potent Canucks should lift Stanley Cup

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

{allcanada} Preview: Potent Canucks should lift Stanley Cup

http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos/2011/05/30/ryan-keslerx-large.jpg

The best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final between the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks begins Wednesday in Vancouver. The Bruins haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1972, and the Canucks haven't won one since joining the league in 1970.

Sizing up the teams:

Goaltending: Roberto Luongo (FSY) (12-6, 2.29 goals-against average, .922 save percentage) has given up two or fewer goals in 10 of his 13 games. He made 54 saves in the Game 5 win that clinched the Western Conference finals. There's plenty to like about the way Luongo is playing, but Tim Thomas (FSY) (12-6, 2.29, .929) has an aura that cannot be denied. With his acrobatic ways, he seems to have more ability to steal a game or even a series.

Advantage: Bruins

Primary scoring: Vancouver twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin (FSY) are the two most dangerous offensive players in the series. They play with Alex Burrows (FSY) . But Boston's line of Milan Lucic (FSY) , Dave Krejci and Nathan Horton (FSY) is almost as productive. The Sedins give Vancouver the edge simply because they have the best ability to turn a small opening into a golden scoring chance.

Advantage: Canucks.

Secondary scoring: When Patrice Bergeron (FSY) came back from his concussion during the last series, it made a major difference for the Bruins' offense. Boston's scoring depth is better than opponents think. They do need Brad Marchand (FSY) to rediscover his mojo just a bit. But Vancouver's No. 2 center, Ryan Kesler (FSY) , is a significant difference-maker, provided he is healthy. He's a monstrous force in all areas of the ice. He can run over an opposing center or score a big goal. The return of Manny Malhotra (FSY) (eye) to the lineup also adds to Vancouver's scoring depth. The Canucks have more speed, and their defense also contributes on offense.

Advantage: Canucks

Team defense: Any discussion of team defense has to start with 6-9 Zdeno Chara (FSY) . He will push toward 30 minutes a game in this series, and he leads the Bruins with a plus-11 rating. He is a major factor in every playoff series. He and defensive partner Dennis Seidenberg (FSY) will probably check the Sedins. Boston coach Claude Julien's team plays a defensive style that will test Vancouver's puck-possession game. But the Canucks' team defense is underrated. They can buckle down and limit chances if the situation calls for that.

Advantage: Bruins

Special teams: The numbers tell the story in this comparison, because the Canucks are 17-for-60 (28.3%) on the power play in the postseason while the Bruins are 5-for-61 (8.4%). The teams' penalty killing in the playoffs has been essentially the same. The Canucks are killing off 80.6% of the times when they are playing short-handed, while Boston is at 79.4%. The Canucks' power play was also dominant throughout the regular season, while the Bruins' power-play numbers were below average. Because of the Sedins' chemistry, their puck movement always seems stellar. The Bruins' power play did seem to perk up in the Eastern Conference finals when Chara was inserted to play in front of the net.

Advantage: Canucks

Injuries: Boston, no significant injuries for players who have already played in the postseason. Vancouver, defensemen Christian Ehrhoff (FSY) (shoulder) and Aaron Rome (FSY) (head) are expected to play. Kesler is hurting but also is expected to play.

Forecast: Unless the Bruins can magically transform their power play into a scoring machine, it will be the Canucks in six games.