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Friday, April 30, 2010

No Excuses

The match up with the Flyers gives Boston the chance to make history...

Things could not have turned out better for the Bruins. Not only are they entering the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but they'll be the hosts. Due to the Canadien's upset over the Capitals, the Philadelphia Flyers will be coming to Boston tomorrow to start off the semifinal series. Montreal, meanwhile, will move on to deal with Pittsburgh. While many Bruins fans were hoping and praying for a rematch with the Penguins, this is definitely the better route to take. Like I wrote earlier, as ironic and tense a Pittsburgh series would be, Boston would not fare well in the match up. With Savard just now returning from his grade 2-concussion, I would rather the Bruins be completely ready for a playoff series with the reigning champion-Penguins.

The Flyers, on the other hand, look like a great target for the Bruins to pounce on. After sustaining several injuries in their series with the Devils, they will be limping into Boston. Ian Lapierre's season is likely done after sustaining a horrific hit to the face in Game 5 of the quarter-finals (see video, caution: contains graphic content). In addition to that loss; Philly forwards, Simon Gagne and Jeff Carter, are both expected to miss significant time. The Bruins, however, are in the complete opposite situation. Boston had dealt with injuries all season which served as a serious detriment to their success. Now, they are as healthy and fully stocked as they've been all season. What's more, with Savard returning to the lineup and Mark Stuart's return looming, the Bruins appear to be in perfect shape at the right time.

What this means is that Boston has a heightened chance to do what hasn't been done since 1993 - advance to the Conference Finals. The Canadiens have given them a gift and, if they don't take advantage, it would be severely disappointing. This is not to say the Flyers will be easy to dispatch. Despite their injury problems, Philadelphia is a very physical team (look for Daniel Carcillo in the penalty box) and will not lay down for Boston. The Bruins will also have their hands full with another great goaltender in Brian Boucher. Whom, thus far, has the highest save percentage in the playoffs (.940) and also ranks first in average goals against with 1.59.

Though this series figures to be less dramatic than one against Pittsburgh would've been, there's absolutely no reason to complain. If Boston were facing off against the Penguins tomorrow - it would be hard to realistically imagine them winning four games. The Bruins have a much greater chance to advance to the conference finals in this match up and, with a healthy team and a renewed sense of urgency - the Bruins have no excuse not to.

8 comments:

  1. Go Flyers! Long live the Orange & Black! Flyers in 7 games!

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  2. no way bruins all the way

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  3. Lets Go Bruins Lets Go Bruins

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  4. Did anyone see in the LaPierre video, that a**hole Devils fans screaming with his arms flailing because the play was stopped in the Flyers zone. Thankfully there season is over but the league should find out who that guy was and ban him from all league arenas in the future. What a JERK!

    Bruins in 7! Go B's Baby!

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  5. Go Bssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

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  6. 1-0 Bruins and Savard scores the winning goal. Sweet.

    I do ahve to say the flyers appered to out skate a lot of the time

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  7. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha I love how wrong every single prediction was! I mean the outcome was ridiculously unbelievable but still! GREATEST CHOKE IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS HISTORY!!!!! FLyers are going all the way to the cup! 6-0 win over the Habs? Its gonna be a long series for Halak just like Rask!

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