NHL: Canucks and Bruins Await Destiny in Game 7

The Vancouver Canuck and Boston Bruins have been inseparable in the Stanley Cup Finals but something has got to give tonight. Al Dannity breaks down the key factors that will decide tonight’s huge Game 7.

Luongo must be comeback king
We’ve been here before with Roberto Luongo. The Canucks’ goaltender has endured some rough nights throughout the playoffs but he has always fought back. Tonight he must dig into that well once again. Whatever it is inside Luongo that has enabled him to battle back from some horrible nights, he’s got to find that motivation again. In Tim Thomas, the Bruins have one of the most reliable goaltenders in the business. Thomas has thoroughly out-performed Luongo throughout these Stanley Cup Finals. All of Luongo’s failings will be forgiven if he can pull together one more gem. Sure Thomas might take the Conn Smythe Trophy but Luongo can ensure the only honor that really matters crosses back over the border.

Boston must do it on the road
We know the Bruins have a great Hockey team. In three games of this series they’ve owned the Canucks from start to finish and in three others they’ve only lost narrowly. The problem for Boston is that all three of those defeats happened on the road. The President’s Trophy doesn’t count for much but it does guarantee one thing at this time of year, home ice in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Finals. That’s the edge Vancouver had at the start of this series and tonight the Bruins need to show that they can do it in the Canucks’ house.

The verdict
The Green Men won’t be the only fans willing the Canucks on but you can bet they’ll look to play their part tonight. The crowd will shake off whatever nerves the Canucks have as the whole of Vancouver wills them towards the finish line. If the three previous home games for the Canucks are anything to go by, this promises to be a tight game from start to finish. NHL betting fans should consider picking a 2-1 or 1-0 scoreline because I doubt there will be many goals in this one.

As with every Game 7, at the end of the night one team will hoist a trophy while the other will be left wondering what might have been. This is a game that will come down to nerve and I like the Vancouver Canucks to have the resolve to see this one out. It’s going to be tight, there will be very little in it, but bet on the Canucks to lift the Stanley Cup.