Hockey Shrine - Lost in Skates

BOS vs STL

After such a surprisingly unpredictable first few rounds of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs, we’re left with this: Boston versus St. Louis–which is not surprising at all! This blog, at least, which hasn’t got a lot of things right this post season (nor have many others), picked the Blues to be here….And while Tampa Bay seemed a lock, the Bruins, who have played the Lightning tough all year, are not in any way an unlikely finalist, based on how they’ve played all year. .

The story line would be great, wouldn’t it, if St. Louis could avenge the 1970 cup loss to the Bruins that year…with a Shwartz or a Schenn or Bortuzzo flying through the air scoring the series’ winner? It really would be a fantastic ending to Blues season that turned things around so dramatically.

I’ll certainly be pulling for the Blues, who must be the dog in this matchup, but I’m not certain of their chances. Two things that Boston has the edge on: power play and puck possession–even though St.Louis have been good and in fact improving in both these areas! And another thing is getting in the opposition’s goalie’s…everything; crease, mind…way…Nobody has done this to Boston yet (except for one memorable goal in the Carolina series). I think the Bruins are more apt to do this to Binnington.

The “Psych” war will be huge, and I see Boston being less flappable than the Blues. Hope I’m wrong!

Bruins in 5

Well that was some kind of first round! Upsets the order of the day. Tampa Bay, Calgary, Washington and Nashville all out?! We knew Colorado, Dallas and Carolina weren’t going to be pushovers….Bravo to them. Anything can happen (after all)….

East

CBJ vs BOS

Can the Blue Jackets surprise again? Pressure on the fore-check and blocking shots is a big part of their game. Mix in a few good forward threats to score and solid goal-tending and there’s lots to like. Trouble is that describes the Bruins, too. A few of the teams that won early in round one (CBJ, COL, ST.L, NYI) are going to have get up to speed. This might factor into Columbus’ chances if they slip behind. And then there’s that thing called ‘experience’. Boston’s got it. Nevertheless, could see the Blue Jacket’s Cinderella/Tortarella story continue. They just may pull it off.

BJs in 7

CAR vs NYI

Momentum again may add to Carolina’s moxy, but it won’t be as free wheeling in this series as it was with the Caps. The Islanders should contain things and win out.

Islanders in 6

West

DAL vs STL

Picked the Blues to be in the final so gotta stay with that pick. Not to say the Stars aren’t a really good team and worthy of moving on. St.Louis is just a little stronger down the middle; and the blessed goal-tending thing is still in effect;.

Blues in 7

COL vs SJS

On paper and analytically I suppose the Sharks should be considered the better team. But there’s something about the young guns from Denver that really makes you believe in their determination. Scoring distributed throughout the line up….and lots of speed.

Avalanche in 7

FIRST ROUND

East

TBL vs CBJ : TB are THE machine this year and seem a lock on being in the final; Columbus barely made the playoffs, even with all the trade deadline tinkering.
Tampa in 4

WSH vs CAR : Washington has something to prove and won’t be too phased by a not-to-be-taken-lightly Carolina squad.
Washington in 5

BOS vs TOR : This is becoming the recurring nightmare for Leafs teams–no relief in sight.
Boston in 5

NYI vs PIT : This match up will be interesting. Can the Islanders’ defensive game stifle the not-what-it-once-was potent Pittsburgh offense. Playoff experience might count as an important intangible.
Pittsburgh prevails in 7

West

CGY vs COL : The Avalanche could present a bit of an upstart challenge….but nothing Calgary, if they play their game, can’t overcome.
Flames in 5

WPG vs STL : Uh oh, this could be trouble for the Jets. They haven’t looked very cohesive over the last 15 games and St. Louis has morphed considerably since the last time Winnipeg faced them. After all those years where everybody expected the Blues to do something…well this could be the year.
Upset, St. Louis in 6

NSH vs DAL : Nashville has had some difficulties of late, but look to be getting it together at the right time. Dallas is a tricky team, the one wildcard squad capable of a round one upset–but it won’t happen.
Nashville in 6

SJS vs VGK : Goalies really could be the determiner in this series. Some might think it would be an upset, but with Vegas rounding into form and with last years experience fresh in the DNA memory bank, the Golden knights should take this match up.
Vegas in 6

Prediction for the Cup final: Tampa Bay over St.Louis in 6

SJS vs PIT

No telling how much T-Bay’s conference final loss was due to Ben Bishop’s early exit because of injury. Vasilevskiy played very well as his replacement and cannot be faulted for his contributions, but the team probably didn’t have the same level of confidence playing in front of him as they would have with Bishop between the pipes. Too bad for Tampa: key injuries happening (again) at the most crucial time.

Going forward, the cup final features two teams that are best typified as being ‘offense first’. And that probably means whichever team plays the best  defensively should win!:) D men Dumoulin and Lovejoy and to a lesser extent Shultz, Cole and Maata have all played very well, picking up minutes after Daley’s injury and when Letang was suspended or was sitting in the penalty box. And enough cannot be said about how Matt Murray has thrilled everyone with his goal tending. But I think San Jose has the edge in this series with the D corps that they have.  Martin, Vlasic, and Polak are all stalwart veteran defencemen that are for the most part unflappable. Braun and Dillon have been solid. And then there is Brent Burns – Mr game changer. The Sharks defense can turn on a dime and add another offensive dimension in a way that Pittsburgh’s can’t, outside of Letang.

The only question is basically whether or not Matt Murray can steal the Stanley Cup himself. Don’t think so.

Gonna be fast. Gonna be fun. Gonna be Sharks in 6.