Crushing hits, vicious scrums, a season-ending injury and a 4 game suspension have decorated the Stanley Cup Final this year. There have been great plays and sloppy plays, beautiful goals and garbage. Tonight two of the very best NHL franchises will meet for game 4 of their already extremely exciting series. Both teams are down a man. Both want revenge for their embarrassment in games previous. Both will be skating hard for the Cup.

The Boston Bruins stomped on the Vancouver Canucks’ chance at a sweep two nights ago. Boston proved that not only is Roberto Luongo a goalie that can be scored on, but one who can be scored on often. Tim Thomas showed signs of the Vezina Trophy winner that he is, and the B’s held on, 8-1. But let us not forget the two games at the front of this set. For two games in Vancouver, the Bruins looked like a cursed team. They lost 1-0 in Game 1 with only 18 seconds remaining in regulation. Just a few nights later, the Canucks played spoiler again to a good Bruins effort about 11 seconds into overtime. The Canucks are in the Final for a reason: they are a very good team. Luongo and company don’t often get bested, and they sure as hell don’t lose by a landslide with any kind of regularity. There is no way Boston comes out with an 8-1 victory again tonight. The game this evening will be hard fought. A one-goal difference between competitors is not out of the question, because momentum is important in hockey. Whichever club comes up with roses at the final horn tonight should have enough momentum to take the series. If the Bruins win, they even it up and get into the heads of the Canucks. If Vancouver wins they will take a stranglehold, 3-1 lead into game 5. Watch for the forecheck tonight and how it plays out in the first period. Whichever team wins battles in their own offensive zone will surely dump goals in early, goals that almost assuredly will hold as GWG later in the contest. Both teams are tired, but their grit will show early on. The time is now for highly skilled goals, strategically placed hits and carefulness around the referees. Skill players will win this game tonight: skilled forwards will score, skilled defensemen will protect.

There is nowhere you should be at 8:00PM EST tonight except parked in front of a television with the Cup Final on. Tonight History Will Be Made.