This is it, hockey fans. The moment we have all been waiting for. This is a do-or-die game for both squads. Game seven takes place in Vancouver, a venue Boston has yet to win at in this series. Here are five burning questions for this huge contest to go along with my prediction:
1. Will Canucks netminder Roberto Luongo recover from another shelling in Boston?
Roberto has played excellently in his cozy confines in Vancouver, but looked lost in Boston. He lasted less than half of a period last night as he gave up three goals on eight shots against. Before that game, he criticized Tim Thomas for the goal he allowed in game five. Look out, Roberto: Boston wants to humiliate you on your own turf. Can you handle the pressure?
2. Which Boston team is going to show up in Vancouver tomorrow night?
Are we going to see the same team that was shut out in two of the three games in that building? Or will we see the team from game two that had a lead going into the third period before blowing it? Might we see a hungry Bruins team playing the same way they did in each of their three home wins?
3. What will the style of play be like?
Will each team play it safe? Will they play not to lose rather than play to win? I expect both teams to come out aggressive in terms of checking, but we may not see many risky passes. If any of these teams have to take chances, it’s Boston. They have scored just two goals in three games away from Boston in this series. They need to attack, but will they?
4. Will Vancouver get production from the Sedin twins and Ryan Kesler?
The Vancouver offense has been brutal compared to what they are capable of. They have mustered just eight goals in the six games played. I have to give credit where it’s due here. The Boston defense and Tim Thomas have a lot to do with the shutting down of one of the top lines in the entire NHL. However, if Vancouver wants to hoist its first trophy, they need their impact players to produce.
5. Who wins this hockey game?
There are two very big trends in this series. The home team is 6-0 in this series. The team that scores first is also 6-0. Based on these facts, whoever scores first will win, right? Game seven may not be scripted as well. Both teams will play hard, so expect a lot of checking. We might not see a power play in this game, much like the Boston/Tampa game seven. Boston is perhaps the best five-on-five team in the NHL. The Canucks have given the Bruins a lot of material that could fuel them to victory on Vancouver’s home ice. Boston wins this game by a score of 4-2, with the last goal of the empty-net variety.
