Following an emotional victory by the Bruins, it appears the Canucks have a series on their hands.
Despite the closeness of the first two games of the Stanley Cup final, it was really looking like a Vancouver Canucks’ sweep was a distinct possibility.
A sweep is B-O-R-I-N-G.
Now, with the Boston Bruins having demolished the Canucks 8-1 in Game 3, we have a series on our hands. Further, there is no shortage of interesting storylines to keep an eye on, including:
Nathan Horton injury
The concussed Horton is tied for second in Bruins scoring in the post-season with 17 points and also has the team's second-highest goal total, eight, of which three have been game-winners. Suffice it to say he will be missed.
The 26-year-old right winger is in his seventh NHL season, but it's his first trip to the playoffs. There have been times over the years, mostly spent with the Florida Panthers, where some wondered if this guy even enjoyed playing the game. Since he has joined the Bruins, however, it has been a much different -- more urgent -- Horton we have seen.
At 6-foot-2 and nearly 230 pounds, he has the size to be one of the best power forwards in the league. Horton has been much more engaged physically this season and has even fought eight times this year -- once in the playoffs and seven times in the regular season.
Losing him could prove fatal for the Bruins.
Seguin in
Tyler Seguin, for the most part, has looked very much like the rookie he is in the playoffs. With the exception of his first two playoff games during which he managed three goals and three assists, he has been ordinary.
Seguin should be made to sit and watch highlights from those two games, as well as highlights from Jeff Skinner and Taylor Hall (two high profile freshmen who thrived this season) as a reminder of what he is capable of doing. This kid has 'star' written all over him, but the Bruins desperately need him to contribute now, especially with Horton gone.
Aaron Rome suspension
The debate rages on about how the NHL should handle head shots, but you'd have to think with the expulsion of Rome from the final, the league is taking hits that result in a significant injury more seriously. Rome, who has played in 14 of his team's 21 playoff games and averaged 13:01 in ice time, is decidedly replaceable in the Vancouver lineup.
What is most significant about the suspension was the NHL's admission that Brian Burke, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the league's former head of discipline, was consulted before it was handed down. The optics here really stinks. Burke's Maple Leafs are in line to get a draft pick from the Bruins and the pick will be determined by whether or not Boston wins or loses in the final.
Can Luongo bounce back?
On Monday, I had Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo among my top five finalists for the Conn Smythe Trophy. One day later, he lets in eight goals. Yikes!
The good news is prior to Monday's debacle, Luongo had been supplying his team with excellent goaltending and there's no reason to suggest he can't get back to that in Game 4. Luongo didn't seem devastated by the meltdown, which certainly can't all be pinned on him.
"The score doesn't really matter," he said. "We're in the playoffs. It's all about winning a game, right? No matter what the score of the game is, we have to keep playing our game, not deviate from our game plan…I waited my whole life to be here. I'm not going to put my head down. It's time to get back to work."
Well said.
Twin trouble
Henrik Sedin still leads the playoffs in scoring with 21 points in 21 games, but he is pointless in the final. Daniel, meanwhile, has a goal and an assist, but was held off the score sheet in two of the three games. The Sedins have been magical at times in their careers, but their reputation will be defined by how they do in the Stanley Cup final. Thus far, they aren't cutting it.
Calling on Kesler
Ryan Kesler is one of the best two-way players in the NHL and was a leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player in the playoffs heading into the final. However, in three games against Boston he has just one assist and was minus-3 the other night. Some have suggested he's playing hurt, but he wouldn't be alone in that category if that is indeed the case.
Tim Thomas' time
The best goalie from the regular season has been excellent in the final after a few shaky outings in the Eastern Conference final against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Now with Horton out, Thomas will have to continue to steal games for his team like never before. Thomas, more than any other Bruin, will be in the spotlight throughout the rest of the series. If the Bruins win the Cup, Thomas will win the Conn Smythe.
