Well, it’s finally here. We have been waiting for the NHL Finals for almost a year, and it couldn’t be more electrifying. The lockout-shortened season definitely dampened some of the excitement, but the Finals are surely going to be one for the ages.
The Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins are going to duel it out in a best-of-seven series which will decide the 2013 champions. Chicago is coming off a difficult 4-3 series win over the defending champion L.A. Kings. In the seventh game of that series, Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane scored a three-goal hat trick, one of which was a double-overtime winner, sending the Blackhawks to the Finals.
The Bruins are also coming off an impressive win in the Eastern Conference. They swept the Pittsburgh Penguins in four games, securing a spot in their second Stanley Cup Final in two years. “I think the Bruins are gonna win because they have dominated the playoffs and dominated the Penguins in a 4-0 sweep,” said sophomore John Mafi.
The Blackhawks’ star-studded lineup will undoubtedly help them in the Finals. Forwards Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, and Patrick Kane were all-stars in 2012. The Blackhawks also have a star in net, with starting goaltender Corey Crawford, who went 19-5 in the regular season with a 1.94 Goals Against Average (GAA). This sort of strength in net boosted the Blackhawks to a 24-0 start to the season. “I think the Blackhawks are gonna win because they have a better goalie and a lot of strong forwards,” said sophomore Trey Harris.
Although the Blackhawks have an excellent lineup, the Bruins have the advantage in momentum. Their 4-0 sweep of the Penguins gave them more time to rest before the Finals. “I think the Bruins are going to win. They’re really on a roll right now and goalie play and forechecking will really edge them out in the series,” said freshman Zachary Lee.