The Icing On The Week(End)
With the Boston Bruins sweeping the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring twelve and conceding just two in the process, we have our first 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff finalist confirmed.
Irrespective of their assembled cast the Pens were dominated by the Bruins due to one contributory factor; Boston stuck to their game. We have all read from more esteemed purveyors that upon the Penguins presenting their own game and strengths they would start to carve away at that 2-0 then 3-0 Bruins series lead. Wednesday night they played their game and lost again mainly due to Boston already being in their groove as well as already being in the heads of the majority of the Pittsburgh bench.
That is not to say they were beaten in as sound a manner as they were in Games One & Two as the game went to OT but, in a way that would have been a bigger concern to Bylsma, Crosby et al. Most people, including myself, focussed on the Pen’s almost lethargic game two performance but that was a huge injustice to the Bruins who after going toe to toe with Shero’s behemoth should be seen as the favourite when they are up against either Chicago or LA.
You can read all about how the Bruins came out on top in the first two match ups in previous Icing(s) on the Week but the third game was an affirmation that this Boston team, with its staunch philosophy is now the team to beat; indeed the President Trophy winning Chicago Blackhawks previously up 2-0 against Quick & Co. (TM) may already be looking at the B’s defence and pondering what to do.
After another shutout of Crosby, Malkin, Morrow, Kunits, Iginla and so on last night Toews and Sharp in particular really need to up their game exponentially from what they have demonstrated so far this postseason. Even then they may not have enough.
Tuesday saw the series informally known as the “Blackhawks Swoop” (apologies that is the last avian link) come to an abrupt halt when the Kings showed them that they too can use their home barn as an advantage. They have lost only three in their last sixteen postseason games at the Staples Center and that run continued thanks to their 3-1 win. The defending Champions scoring one in each period.
A stat which should be of note to the ‘hawks is the one confirming the importance of the first goal against the Kings. I mentioned earlier in the week that it is not in the Kings’ nature to chase games effectively but they do defend a lead better than any other NHL outfit. At present they have won twenty straight games when notching first. They did just that again in game three.
Game four saw the President Trophy winners re affirm their own character though just as they did in the second round. They would have been all too aware of the importance of momentum and with another LA win that intangible yet important force would truly have been with the Kings. The fact they managed to get the win in LA and after the hosts scored first would have been an even greater fillip to Joel Quenneville’s men.
They were 0-1 & 1-2 down before Bryan Bickell – who is fast becoming the go to guy for Chicago – and Marian Hossa, a man you can always rely on, scored two unanswered goals to snatch a win and head back to the Madhouse for tonight’s game five.
I predicted Chicago in six but they may just get the job done tonight. If they do not and LA ultimately make it to the final one thing is for sure; the Bruins will be in waiting.