1972. Most Boston sports fans know this as the last time the Bruins brought home the Stanley Cup. Since then, the team has had its highs and lows leading up to this monumental year. All season the bruins have been back and forth with injuries, bad stretches, and good stretches, but this playoff run could become history.
After last season ending the way it did a lot of fans were not sure if the Bs could get that out of their heads this year. Man were we wrong. Since the deadline and our beneficial trade, the B's have pushed and not looked back. So we had to assume that it was only fate when they met the Flyers in a rematch of last years Eastern Conference semis. Just like last year they went up 3-0, but this time we were going for the clinch at home. This was not the only big difference from last year that let me know that history was not going to repeat..so here they are:
1.
Goaltending..no question here this is the most important. Tim Thomas in net like this last year would've made a huge difference...maybe looking for a repeat this year..but who knows.
2.
Physically we are a stronger team than last year and we have let every team in the league know it..just ask those Bozos from up north.
3.
Mentally the players who were here last year were NOT going to let it happen again. They were determined to squash the flyers before they could even catch flight...and they did just that starting with a 7-3 game 1 win.
and finalllyyy...
4. It just feels right ya know? This year has a special feel to it that some in the past just haven't. Yes last year did have a little spark but I think it's still not the same as now. I believe that it all started at the deadline when we acquired Kaberle, Peverley, and Kelly (Along with some other small pieces).
Also I like the Bruins against Tampa because we are more physical then them AND can score. Yes, the lightning are very quick, but we have some quickness to us and Chara and the defense are just going to smother and attack anyone who comes near them.
With all this I still expect this series will come down to goaltending in Tim Thomas and Dwayne Roloson
. I with out a doubt give Thomas the edge, hopefully Vesna Trophy winner, and this is why I'm picking the Bruins to win the series in 6.
I'm notsitting here and saying they're going to win...but I can say I do like how it looks.