2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Review - (1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (4) Boston Bruins

Series Summary

This series was a great way to wrap up the season. Game 1 started off good for the Bruins, as Milan Lucic scored in the first and second period to put Boston ahead early (relative) in the game. Brandon Saad did answer for the Blackhawks a few minutes after Lucic's second goal. Patrice Bergeron extended Boston's lead in the third. It ended up not being enough though, as Chicago was able to tie it up. It took until the third overtime for the game to be decided. A Michal Rozsival shot bounced off David Bolland, then Andrew Shaw and finally off the back of the net to give Chicago the series lead. Game 2 started off with Chicago dominating the first period, but they could only get 1 past Tuukka Rask. After that, the Bruins took over for the most part. Chris Kelly's second period goal tied the game up. Overtime was need again, but this time it was the Bruins who end up scoring, as Daniel Paille scored almost 14 minutes into the first OT period. Game 3 was the Rask show, as he stopped all 28 Blackhawk shots to record the only shutout of the Final. Game 4 was definitely an anomaly, as both offenses came to life. After swapping a goal each in the first, both teams exploded for a combined 5 goals in the second. Boston tied the game up twice in the third period, forcing another overtime game in the series. About 10 minutes was all they needed this time, as Brent Seabrook got the winning goal to tie the series back up. Patrick Kane continued his scoring ways in Game 5, as his two goals were enough for the Blackhawks to take the 3-2 series lead. Game 6 looked to be going Boston's way, as Chris Kelly opened the scoring for them in the first. Toews tied the game up in the second. Lucic put Boston back in the lead in the third. It looked like the Bruins would push for a seventh game, then the collapsed happened. Bryan Bickell and Dave Bolland scored 17 seconds apart to give Chicago the lead and, ultimately, the victory. The Chicago Blackhawks defeat the Boston Bruins in 6 games to become the 2013 Stanley Cup Champions.

Games

Boston Bruins 3
Chicago Blackhawks 4 (3OT)

Boston Bruins 2 (OT)
Chicago Blackhawks 1

Chicago Blackhawks 0
Boston Bruins 2

Chicago Blackhawks 6 (OT)
Boston Bruins 5

Boston Bruins 1
Chicago Blackhawks 3

Chicago Blackhawks 3
Boston Bruins 2

Three Many Thoughts On The Series

• The was a hell of a series to end the playoffs with.
• Andrew Shaw: Lover of shin pads
• If you take the healthy parts from both Toews and Bergeron, you'd probably only have half a person built.
• Seriously, get well Bergeron. A hole in a lung sounds terrifying.
• Chicago basically finished the season the way they started: On top.
• Besides the Cup, the Blackhawks also wanted to set the record for most f-bombs.
• I'm guessing when Crawford was handed the Cup it slipped through his glove hand.
• Patrick Kane was the Conn Smythe winner seems like a stretch. Had moments in the playoffs
• Time it takes to score 2 goals against the Bruins:
• Penguins: About 2.5 games
• Blackhawks: 17 seconds
• It's nice to see the Bruins honour the Leafs with a late game collapse of their own.
• Since the Bruins lost, the ultimate loser of the playoffs is the Habs (lost to the Sens who lost to Pens who lost to Bruins who lost to the Blackhawks)

Pictures Of The Series



The few, the proud, the Crawford glove saves.

 

(Image via Kevin Dupont)

Jagr! In Shorts! 

(Image via Katie Baker)

Win one championship and they are already gunning for another in a different sport.

(Image via Sean Leahy)

Let the celebration being!

(Image via Awful Announcing)

Simply Titled: Hockey!

Play Of The Series

The glorious 17 seconds in the dying minutes of Game 6 (plus Stanley Cup Presentation)

Playoff Prediction Results

Brad: 9-6
MDK: 5-10

2013 Stanley Cup Final Predictions

Hey, did you know this is the first time both these Original Six teams faced in the Final? *continues beating even deader horse*

(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (4) Boston Bruins

Brad: Chicago Blackhawks

I wanted to pick Boston hoping to jinx them, but knowing my luck they would end up sweeping another series if I did. Chicago does have more depth up front and on defense, but Boston has the better goalie in Rask (although Crawford has been a close second in these playoffs). The hope is that the Blackhawks don't try to do what the Penguins did and play tough. If Chicago does go that route, then Boston has this series on a platter. If Chicago can play their game, then the series starts tilting in their favour (plus it makes for a more interesting Final). Chicago in 7.

MDK: Chicago Blackhawks

I say they win in game 6 is because I think the Blackhawks are going to struggle with Chara and the other bruins like Brad Marchand, Milan Lucic, Nathan Horton and David Krejci. But Chicago still has some of there best players since their win back in 2010. Patrick Kane hasn't done a lot with them during the playoffs, but he proved a lot in the L.A series. And their goalie Corey Crawford has been outstanding this year. That's all I have to say and until next time, Lets Go Blackhawks!

After Round Three

Brad: 8-6
MDK: 4-10

2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Review - (1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (5) Los Angeles Kings

Series Summary

Game 1 started off to look like the Jonathan Quick show, as the LA netminder stopped 17 shots in the first period. On the other end, Corey Crawford went 1-for-2 in the period. Justin Williams carried his Game 7 performance over and opened the scoring. Chicago finally found a way past Quick in the second, as Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa scored 4 minutes apart to give the Blackhawks the lead. Chicago was able to hold on the rest of the way to go up 1-0 in the series. Game 2 was a game Quick would like to forget, as he was pulled midway through the second after letting in 4 goals. The Kings could only muster a late goal in the second and third in the loss. The highlight of Game 2 was Crawford coming in and defending Jonathan Toews in a scrum. Game 3 went back the LA, and the Kings were able to bounce back like they did in their first series. The 3-1 win though, was all Los Angeles could do at home, as Chicago eeked out the 3-2 road win in Game 4. Game 5 looked to be over early, as the Blackhawks scored twice in the fist 6 minutes. The Kings fought back, as Dwight King scored shorthanded in the second, then Anze Kopitar scored early in the third to tie the game. Patrick Kane scored his second of the game later on to regain Chicago's lead. With 10 seconds left, Mike Richards redirected a shot past Crawford to force overtime. It wasn't until the second overtime when the tiebreaking goal was scored. Toews and Kane went in on a 2-on-1, and not even an elite goalie like Quick could stop that combo. Kane one-timed the pass past Quick to complete the hat trick and win the series for Chicago. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Los Angeles Kings in 5 games to go on to the Stanley Cup Final.

Games

Los Angeles Kings 1
Chicago Blackhawks 2

Los Angeles Kings 2
Chicago Blackhawks 4

Chicago Blackhawks 1
Los Angeles Kings 3

Chicago Blackhawks 3
Los Angeles Kings 2

Los Angeles Kings 3
Chicago Blackhawks 4 (2OT)

Three Thoughts On The Series

• Pouring a little out for the fact there won't be another Sutter press conference this playoffs.
• Looking at the scrum, Bernier looks like he wants to go. Unfortunately for him, its Crawford in net, Emery's on the bench.
• I just want to tell Chicago good luck. We're all counting on you.

Picture Of The Series

The calm before the wish-this-would-happen-but-it-sadly-didn't goalie fight.

(Image via Aaron Ward)

Play Of The Series

Patrick Kane has a thing for scoring OT goals on June 9th*.

 

* The game (versus LA) started on June 8th, but OT pushed it past midnight EST.

2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs Review - (1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) Boston Bruins

Series Summary

Apparently, Bruins do eat Penguins. Coming into the series, Pittsburgh was haled as the least physical of the two teams. While they did establish they won't be pushed around in Game 1, it was Boston who ended up with more goals, as they won 3-0. Game 2 was a game to forget for the Penguins. Brad Marchand opened the scoring for the Bruins 28 seconds into the game. After a couple more Bruin goals, Brandon Sutter finally got the Penguins on the board near the end of the period. But any momentum Pittsburgh was hoping to build off that goal was quickly dashed, as Marchand scored with seconds left in the first period. Boston added 2 goals in the third to complete to blowout. Game 3 had that Game 2 feel to it, as David Krejci scored early in the game. This time, Pittsburgh was able to contain the Bruins. Chris Kunitz tied the game up for the Penguins in the second period. Both teams had chances to get ahead but it wasn't until the second overtime when Patrice Bergeron ended the deadlock, giving Boston a 3-0 series lead. Game 4 was scoreless until 5 minutes into the third, when Adam McQuaid blasted one past Tomas Vokoun to give Boston the lead. Pittsburgh tried to force overtime again, but were shut down by Tuukka Rask (and a save by Zdeno Chara). Boston Bruins swept the Pittsburgh Penguins, and are playing in their second Stanley Cup Final in 2 years.

Games

Boston Bruins 3
Pittsburgh Penguins 0

Boston Bruins 6
Pittsburgh Penguins 1

Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Boston Bruins 2 (2OT)

Pittsburgh Penguins 0
Boston Bruins 1

Four Thoughts On The Series

• Wait, the Penguins go SWEPT!
• YOU HAD ONE JOB LEAFS RANGERS PENGUINS
• A Jacobs-run team is going to the Final after being locked out for half the season. The Hockey Gods are trolling every fan.
• Just think, if the Leafs could play defense for half a period it could have been them going to the Finals.

Picture Of The Series



(Image via Toronto Star)

And with that picture, Crosby has been shown up more times in this post then he has on the score sheet in this series.

Play Of The Series

Chara robbing Malkin, Rask stopping (of all people) Iginla, the last minute of Game 4 had it all.

Round 3 Preview

(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) Boston Bruins

This series feature the only two legit teams in the East. The Penguins have a ton of offense to score at will. On the other side, the Bruins are a good shutdown team that can contribute offensively as well. The Bruins do have the better goalie in Rask. Overall, I don't think the Bruins can completely hold off Crosby and Malkin. Pittsburgh in 6.

(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (5) Los Angeles Kings

A bit of a tough series to predict. The Blackhawks do have the skill to win pretty games. The Kings, on the other hand, are a blue-collar team with a hot goalie. In the end I can see the Kings taking it. But I'm still picking the Blackhawks out of spite. Chicago in 7.

2013 NHL Playoffs Predictions - Round 3

Hey, did you know the last 4 Cup champs are the last standing? *Continues beating dead horse*

Eastern Conference

(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) Boston Bruins

Brad: Pittsburgh Penguins
MDK: Pittsburgh Penguins

Western Conference

(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (5) Los Angeles Kings

Brad: Chicago Blackhawks
MDK: Los Angeles Kings

After Round Two

Brad: 7-5
MDK: 4-8