It all comes down to this. Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final is set for Wednesday at the TD Garden. The Boston Bruins have a chance to win the Cup on home ice, and add yet another banner to the rafters.
With their backs against the wall, and the Cup in the building, the Boston Bruins had to play their best game of the season in St. Louis for Game 6. The black and gold did just that, winning 5-1 in convincing fashion, keeping the Cup in its case and setting the scene for a winner take all Game 7.
Wednesday night will be the first Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final since the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks faced off in 2011.
This will be the first time a Stanley Cup Final Game 7 will be played in Boston, and the last Championship Game 7 of the major sports since the Boston Celtics hosted Game 7 of the 1984 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Safe to say, the vibe throughout the city in the next few days will be electric. Tickets to Game 7 have to be some of the most sought out tickets in this 19-year run of Boston sports dominance.
The NHL season is going to end Wednesday night, and Lord Stanley’s Cup will be hoisted. Hopefully, by the home team. Let’s take a look at what the Bruins have to do to make that a reality.
1. Tuukka Rask must stay hot
The Boston net minder has been lights out these playoffs, and especially in the cup. Through 23 games, Tuukka Rask has a 1.93 goals against average and a .938 save percentage with 2 shut outs in his back pocket. In the Stanley Cup, Rask has allowed 14 goals on 174 shots.
Tuukka has been lights out in potential close out games so far this postseason. In 5 games ( Leafs G6+G7, Jackets G6, Canes G4 & Blues G6) Tuukka is a perfect 5-0.
Rask has allowed only 4 goals on 149 shots, good for 145 saves and a .973 save percentage and an amazing 0.800 goals against average. Read that again, cause at first glance you think you’re looking at stats from a video game.
The Boston Bruins need Tuukka to keep that pace if they want a chance at their second Cup in 8 years.
2. Clear the Blues out in front of the net
One thing that has remained constant this series, the Blues’ physicality and the fact that they have had a strong net presence in front of Tuukka.
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The Boston Bruins need to get these guys out of Tuukka’s way on Wednesday night. With a Game 7 environment, both teams are going to be scrapping for goals and will take whatever they can get; one goal could be the difference between victory or defeat.
In order to avoid a crappy goal off a soft rebound, the Bruins have to get the Blues out from in front of the net. Zdeno Chara usually is the guy for this; but with his broken jaw, he’s obviously going to be cautious of a war-zone of a situation this would be.
Maybe Chara will go all out (he certainly has so far) but if he is unable to clear the net, Boston may need to rely on some of their other big men to do the job.
Brandon Carlo is a name that comes to mind for this task. He has been phenomenal so far this series, hopefully he can keep it up for one more game.
3. Veteran presence is key
In a Game 7, a team’s will is a major factor on if they win or not. With the game in Boston, you can expect the Bruins to leave it all out on the ice. This is the last game of the NHL season and someone is going to win the Cup.
The Boston Bruins have the veteran presence to help guide them in the right direction. With players like Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, Tuukka Rask, David Krejci and Brad Marchand all having been together for the previous two cup runs; the Bruins are in good hands in the leadership department.
These players know how tough it is to win one Stanley Cup, let alone get 2 more cracks at it. After losing to the Blackhawks on home ice in 2013, you can expect the Bruins’ veterans relish the moment and do whatever they can to bring the Cup back to Boston.
Whatever happens Wednesday night, we are sure in store for a crazy, edge of your seat type hockey game. There is nothing more exciting than a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final.
Start singing the Blues St. Louis.
Go B’s.