Game 7 will decide who makes history in Vancouver

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By Chris DiFrancesco PhilaPhans’ Flyers/NHL beat writer

If the Vancouver Canucks prevail tonight in Game 7 inside the Rogers Arena, they will become legends, according to Ryan Kesler.

The Canucks will attempt to become only the fifth to have have ever won the Stanley Cup while being outscored in the Stanley Cup Finals, however, none of the previous four had scoring deficits anywhere near Vancouver’s 11 goals.

Unfortunately for Vancouver, they have to go through Time Thomas to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first in franchise history.

Not only are the Canucks looking for serious doses of redemption, but goaltender Roberto Luongo will look to right the ship that he’s sunk all series long in Boston to put his club in this situation.

Luongo allowed a disturbing 15 goals in 111:52 at TD Garden, but has stopped 95 of 97 shots at Rogers Arena. So, maybe a little home cooking is all Luongo needs for a confidence booster.

On the other side, likely Conn Smythe winner Thomas, has been almost unbeatable throughout these finals. Vancouver scored an NHL high 262 during the regular season but have only been able to beat Thomas eight times in six games.

“I think Thomas has something to do with it,” Kesler said. “Obviously we’re playing a team that didn’t get here by chance. They’re a very good team and they play a very good defensive system.  We just need to keep getting shots. I liked what our power play did last game and we continue to improve on that.”

Kesler should know his power-play is just 2-for-31 against the Bruins. Help wanted.

For Thomas, he told the media Tuesday he feels no pressure for Game 7 Wednesday night. He simply wants to win.

“I wouldn’t call it pressure like that; it’s more we want to win,” Thomas said. “We want to win. We want all the work that we’ve put into this whole season and this whole playoffs to payoff and accomplish that goal that we’ve set ourselves towards, which is winning the Stanley Cup.

“I can only speak for myself, but I’m not thinking of it as pressure. I’m thinking of it more of this is the reality. The series is tied 3-3; Game 7 (Wednesday); we’re on the road; we have to find a way to win this game to get what we want, which we all know what that is.”

The Canucks win the Cup if:

Vancouver has to find a way to solve Thomas early. If the Canucks’ can score early and Luongo have an above average game, the Canucks could very well likely walk out champions.

If the Canucks struggle right off the bat, all eyes will be focused on Luongo and if he can withstand them pressure. Luongo will need help form his supporting cast. Especially, the Sedin twins and Kesler, who have yet to become a threat to Thomas.

Finally, if Vancouver can create significant traffic in front of Thomas and steal a couple early goals, the Canucks have a much better chance at tasting champagne out of the 35-pound Cup.

The Bruins win if:

Simple: If Thomas continues his magical performance between the pipes. The Bruins will try and continue its onslaught of shots at Luongo to try and grab a couple bad goals to keep the momentum on their end, but they haven’t had such luck inside Rogers Arena.

The Bruins have been shut out in two-of the-three games in Vancouver, so look for Boston coach Claude Julien to shocase a different approach to Game 7.

“I think we need to alter our game here, that’s what needs to be altered,” Julien said Tuesday.

“We’ve already started talking about what we need to do as soon as the game (Monday) was done,” Julien said.

“I think it was important to set the tone and the stage for Game 7, so we started doing that. We’ve talked about it and our guys realize what they didn’t do here well enough and what needs to be done and we’re going to be ready to put that on the ice (Wednesday).”

Boston will need its first line of Milan Lucic, David Krejci, and Rich Peverley to shine in order to have a chance against Vancouver. In the Canucks’ Game 5 1-0 win in Vancouver, that line was ineffective and it cost the Bruins putting them one game away form elimination.

Guys like Mark Recchi, Michael Ryder, and Brad Marchand will be looked heavily upon to provide an added ingredient to the first line. The Bruins scored 17 goals inside the TD Garden and only two away from home.

Prediction:

It’s hard to say the home team won’t come out victorious. I said before the first team to win away from home will the Stanley Cup. Neither team were able to accomplish that. However, the pick screams Boston to win the Cup, but Vancouver has all the intangible to win, especially at home.

Vancouver are 10-3 on home ice in the playoffs. The Canucks are also better in close games than the Bruins. They are 11-4 in one-goal games in the postseason, including 3-0 in the Final. (NHL)

Lastly, this stat is courtesy of ESPN’s John Buccigross:

“Canadian-based teams have lost 4 straight Cup Final series, three in 7 games. No Canadian-based team has lost a Game 7 in the Final at home.”

CD

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Posted by Chris DiFrancesco on Jun 15 2011. Filed under Chris DiFrancesco, Featured News, Flyers/NHL, NHL, Stanley Cup. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.