Jun 06 Stanley Cup Final Notes

I've just got to start by saying wow, is hockey an awesome game or what?

What incredible hockey we have been, and continue to be, treated to so far in these 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

If you haven't been watching the Stanley Cup Finals it has so far been a tremendously hard-fought two games with no quarter asked or given.

So far, it looks like the Canucks have the Bruins exactly where they want them.

But if there's one thing we've learned about Boston this off-season it's that they never give up. Ever. The Bruins are the most tenacious teams in this year's playoffs and, as such, I don't expect them to roll over for the Canucks any time soon.

To steal a line from Teddy KGB, this team's got alligator blood. They keep hanging around and hanging around.

As such, I expect their strongest effort of the playoffs tonight as the series shifts to the TD Garden in Boston.


The Burrows Effect

Alex Burrows is a player that knows how to drive the opposition crazy. Not only by his lip-flapping after the whistle but by his tremendously gritty on-ice play and timely goals.

So far in this series, Burrows continues to be the yin to the Sedins' yang as he does the dirty work, creating time and space for the talented twins. In addition, Burrows continues to agitate the opposition.

During Game 1, Burrows was accused of biting Patrice Bergeron's finger while in a scrum and, looking at the replay, he looks pretty guilty. That being said, Burrows got a good talking to by his father after Game 2.

His Dad told him that he didn't like that Burrows was getting attention for foolish things like finger biting. He went on to tell Alex that he should get attention by scoring goals and not my performing foolish antics.

Well it looks like Alex listen to his father because he scored a huge game winning goal in Game 2. 11 seconds into overtime, to be specific, sealing the victory and a 2-0 series lead for Vancouver.

And if that wasn't enough, Burrows, speaking to the media after the game, explained that the Canucks did some advanced scouting on Boston goalie Tim Thomas. He went on to say that Thomas tends to be overly aggressive and that he took advantage of that on the goal.

Since then, that seems to be the only thing anyone is asking the Bruins about, as the soon-to-be two-time Vezina winner's play is suddenly called into question. Boston, from their coach on down to Thomas himself, are pooh-poohing any notion their goalie needs to change anything, and I tend to agree.

That being said, the question is not whether Thomas should change anytime but rather if Burrows' comments will affect Boston, and more specifically, Thomas. Thomas was noticeably agitated by questions about his play during interviews yesterday.

So does that mean that the next time a Canucks player comes down the wing Thomas thinks twice about challenging the shooter and in doing so, gets away from his game?

It remains to be seen, but you've got to love the playoff psychological games that are being played by Burrows.

Masterful.

While I fully believe that Vancouver will win this series and originally picked them in six games, the Bruins will not lose both games in Boston. They have too much pride, grit and determination to get swept. That being said, I think they'll lose one, however, and that the Canucks will wrap this up in five at home in Vancouver.

We'll see, starting tonight, if I'm right.

 

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Kamal is a freelance Habs writer, Senior Writer/Editor-in-Chief of HabsAddict.com, Montreal Canadiens Blogger on Hockeybuzz.com and Habs writer on TheFranchise.ca. Kamal is also a weekly contributor to the Sunday Shinny on The Team 990 (AM 990) every Sunday from 8 - 9 AM. Listen live at http://www.team990.com/

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images North America)

Tags: Boston Bruins \ Stanley Cup Finals \ Vancouver Canucks

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