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Other thoughts and questions.

Vancouver has never trailed in any series at any time this year. The only adversity that they faced was playing game 7 against the Hawks and having to live with choking that series away. If Boston can be even after 4 games, it would be the first time in this years playoffs that the Nucks would have pressure on them to win game 5 at home. All three of their previous series were 3-1 to their advantage after 4 games. Vancouver won only one of those game 5's. I know Vancouver has a very nice streak of winning game 1's, but how do they respond if Boston goes in there and takes the opener?

Boston faced adversity right out of the box by dropping the first two games at home to the Habs. They had two must win games on the road after that and obviously passed that huge test. The B's also fell behind the Bolts 1-0 in that series.

Both teams are 7-3 at home and 5-3 on the road.

Boston has been excellent at even strength while the Nucks have been only decent. The B's have scored 58 goals with only 5 coming on the PP. That means they are nearly averaging 3 even strength goals per game in the playoffs!

Vancouver has scored 50 goals with 17 of them coming on the PP.The Sedin's have struggled 5 on 5, but have dominated on the PP. 6 of their combined 10 goals have come with the man advantage and they have also gobbled up a ton of assists with the man advantage. Time and space is critical for the twins and they simply haven't had much room out there unless they have been on the PP. Expect more of the same from the Bruins who will play them tighter than wallpaper.

Can Boston simultaneously hold down the Sedin's and Kesler for a handful of games? If yes, does any other forward step up for Vancouver and contribute to a win when the big guns are silent? Or will Vancouver have to rely on more timely goal scoring from their defensemen?

Which goalie would you rather have on your team for this series? Luongo has made some major gaffes along the way, while Thomas can go from great to terrible at the drop of a hat.

TDx2, great write ups again. One of the points you touched on, is Boston must play a disciplined game of hockey. If the B's start taking penalties, they are going to be in for a world of hurt. I agree with your points on the series that Timmy needs to have some big games to win and I think he will. Chara also needs to be a force.

For the Canucks, it is theirs to win. I can see Lapierre getting under the skin of the Bruins, and again getting the Nucks on the powerplay. If they play to their ability, they should be bringing the Cup home, again my only concern has been their lack of killer instinct at the end of a series. I call Vancouver in 6 for now.