Tonight could be the end of the 2013 Boston Bruins. Tonight could be the last time we ever see this particular cast of players assembled, donning the 8-spoked black and gold B that has transcended generations of hockey fans. Tonight, Phil Pritchard and the Lord Stanley's Cup will be in the TD Garden and could possibly be handed out to the Chicago Blackhawks.
However, I don't think that happens.
Call me crazy. Call me caught up in the moment. Call me, maybe?
I think Boston forces this to a Game 7. We're talking about a team that was on the brink of elimination – and I don't mean heading into a Game 7, I mean literally a 3 goal deficit in the third period – and somehow mounted a comeback of epic proportions. Do I believe something like that will ever happen again?
Nope.
Thinking a team can pull a rabbit out of their helmet a second time in one playoff run is absolutely crazy, but it shows how mentally tough this team is. And when you think about it – the run they're on is quite amazing. Think about it. They went from a potential first round exit to running through the Rangers AND the Penguins.
It's not over yet. Someone has to win four games to be crowned a Stanley Cup Champion. Being up 3-2 doesn't guarentee you a Cup. Ask Vancouver what they felt when they were up 3-2 in 2011. How did that turn out? I know the circumstances are different, but scoreboard people.
A big factor will be what happens with Patrice Bergeron.
Just a hunch, but I don't think he'll partcipate in today's morning skate, but I do think he plays today. Don't panic if he's not out there – we already know that not participating during a morning skate means nothing. Jagr does it all the time and Recchi did it too in 2011.
If Bergeron can't go, well, the series is over. He's been the all around best skater for the Bruins during this run, playing well on offense, defense, both specialty teams and especially in the faceoff dot.
Like I said though, he'll play.
If this is my last preview, I want to thank everyone for reading them and everything we've written all year. I know the lockout fucked us up early, but we're watching hockey in late June. Man, whatever happens tonight – what a ride. We had some fun.
And like Jack says:
Who has more fun than us?
Projected Bruins Lines
Milan Lucic – David Krejci – Nathan Horton
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – Jaromir Jagr
Dan Paille – Chris Kelly – Tyler Seguin
Shawn Thornton – Rich Peverley – Carl Söderberg
Zdeno Chara – Johnny Boychuk
Dennis Seidenberg – Andrew Ference
Adam McQuaid – Torey Krug
Tuukka Rask
Media
TV: NBC, CBC, RDS
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
Online Feeds: HERE
Could be the last DICKGUIRE of the year. If it is, we had a good run.
Gameday Image/Video
Again, what an intro. CBC kills it and NBC just sucks. It's so bad – NBC has Doc talking nonsense.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-cZYkFpahwI
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