Stanley Cup Finals 2019: Blues v. Bruins

[GeddyWrox]

I can't help but get my hopes up now. I've been fighting it all playoffs, waiting for the gut punch. It felt like the moment was the hand pass. We got past that. It also felt like that moment might have been Game 3. Then Game 4 happened. And in each round, we've started out looking shaky against a team that I feared was better than us. But as each series progressed, we adapted to what they were bringing. Berube made just the right adjustments, the guys played tighter and tighter with each game that came along. And that seems to be happening again. It feels like Boston might be in real trouble here. Especially if Chara is out.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

I think a big part of them being in games is Rask who has to me at least looked great. Always square to the shot, doesn't give up big rebounds (last night he did give up a couple juicy ones) but rarely if ever lets one through. I can't think of the last time he was beat 5-7 hole on a straight shot.

Speaking of rebounds. How about Petro twice last night knowing where the pressure was following and getting shots with the intention of rebounds going there.

[GeddyWrox]

Oh, I forgot to include this tidbit in my last post...

The Blues are 6-1 so far in games 5, 6 & 7 in the playoffs this year.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

I can't help but get my hopes up now. I've been fighting it all playoffs, waiting for the gut punch. It felt like the moment was the hand pass. We got past that. It also felt like that moment might have been Game 3. Then Game 4 happened. And in each round, we've started out looking shaky against a team that I feared was better than us. But as each series progressed, we adapted to what they were bringing. Berube made just the right adjustments, the guys played tighter and tighter with each game that came along. And that seems to be happening again. It feels like Boston might be in real trouble here. Especially if Chara is out.

Yeah, every series has not been without serious doubt, in my mind.

Game 5 of the jets they looked all but done. And, that was coming off two losses at home to even the series up. Lose Game 5 in Winnipeg to make it 3 straight losses and sheesh. That's a tough hill to climb. Jets get up 2-0, then block their own shot from making it 3-0 and the blues come back and absolutely [expletive] dominate the 3rd period to win it going away. Then dominate game 6 at home.

Losing 2 in a row to go down 3-2 against the Stars and a red hot bishop didn't feel good. Getting shut out for 3+ periods iirc in game 7 and the Stars waking up in OT had me on edge as well.

Getting obliterated in game 1 against the sharks then going down 2-1 in the series thanks to the hand pass also didn't leave me optimistic.

Basically, after the 3rd game or deeper into every series, they've been underdogs to win the series yet here they are.

[CardsofSTL]

How drunk was Brett Hull last night, lol.

Drunk enough to whip Marchand's ass

[Freed Roger]

I can't stop laughing.
Quote in my eldests FB page

Part of me is excited about how the City reacts to a series win.

The other part of me is worried about what Brett Hulls going to do afterwards.

[Popeye_Card]

On NHL Network this morning they were discussing that while this was a great victory for the Blues, they still have the sense that Boston’s top gear is higher than the Blues’, and if they return to that gear they still have a clear advantage in the series.

On the surface that may seem apparent. Boston’s power play has been amazing in the playoffs (and on the flip side, so has their PK). They have a lot of high-end skill. They are capable of those 7-2 routs, obviously. But that’s also dismissing how explosive the Blues can be. The Blues had multiple great scoring chances last night, and a power play that is still ice cold. They still have a higher gear scoring-wise than they showed last night. If they play their grinding, puck-possession game AND are burying pucks, their top end is every bit as good as Boston’s. It is just different.

The injury report for the last 3 games will be interesting. Having Dunn and Sundqvist back was huge last night. Dunn was incredibly impactful offensively despite only 13 minutes of ice time. Getting Thomas back would be great, though Sanford has played well. On the Bruins side, they might be down two key left defensemen (Chara and Grzelcyk). That’s really cutting in to their depth chart.

[TheoSqua]

I can see the national Media being pro Bruins.

The Bruins have won in dominating fashion in their two games. Their goals are flashy and look like pure skill. So in the big picture it feels like the Bruins wins have been more dominating.

And I feel the same thing. When the Blues are dominating it feels like we're barely winning. When the Bruins are dominating they are capable of blowing out the Blues. The difference in special teams is HUGE and vastly favors the Bruins. The difference in 5v5 is much slimmer, and barely favors the Blues.

The Blues have outscored the Bruins 8-6 in 5v5.
The Bruins have outscored the Blues 9-3 in all other scenarios.

So the key to the Blues winning is keeping the Bruins on 5v5, or figuring out how to have something even remotely resembling an effective power play.

[Freed Roger]

Hull stereotype is akin to legendary alumnus that would show up to my college fraternity parties.

WOW, COOL -HEY LOOK WHO IS HERE! LETS PARTY!

-next week
Cool you're back! Let's party!

....3 weeks later
Umm, you are back? Again?....ok. let's party.

[heyzeus]

Brett Hull with an emotional support chinchilla? YES.