[Sport] NHL PLayoffs 2013 - Stanley Cup Final
[I'm trying out something new for my NHL playoffs series this year. Since there are so many games, I'm going to watch the highlights each day and jot down some thoughts on each one. I'll add a summary of each series once it's decided, and put up the post when the round is complete.]
Chicago Blackhawks vs Boston Bruins
The conference finals didn't quite live up to their billing in a lot of ways. There were some great games, but it was little disappointing overall as far as the quality of the series went. But the matchup of the Boston Bruins against the Chicago Blackhawks in the final looked scintillating. How did it play out?
Chicago Blackhawks vs Boston Bruins
Game 1: Wow! What a way to start the series: triple overtime. It seemed as though the Bruins had the Blackhawks on the ropes early on, and the Chicago defense was looking nervous and shaky. Particularly Crawford in goal, who didn't seem himself. But the game gradually ramped up, and the Blackhawks clawed back the two goal deficit to take the game to overtime. Not many chances seemingly for most of the first two periods of OT, but the second ended with some close calls for the Blackhawks; a ricochet from the post that was then taken wide, and the follow-up wrap-around stopped by a beautiful scramble from Crawford. They were lucky to survive. Then 3rd OT came around, and the Blackhawks, who'd seemed weaker offensively than the Bruins, snuck a goal through to win. If the rest of the series follows this trend, it'll be amazing.
Game 2: Another overtime game! Not quite as long this time though, and with the opposite outcome - a Bruins win. It was a close game, very physical and scrappy, but less nervous from both sides I thought.
Game 3: Not a good game for the Blackhawks, but an excellent one for the Bruins who blanked their opponents. They played some excellent hockey, and were physical and aggressive with the puck. The Blackhawks looked outplayed, and the highlights I saw didn't show much of them except in defense. They'll have to pick up their game if they want to get back into this series.
Game 4: More overtime, and a fitting culmination to a game that swung back and forth. Neither goaltender came out of this one smelling of roses, with both allowing a lot of goals. The Blackhawks kept scoring first, but the Bruins kept the lead to one goal at most and kept pegging them back. There were some very pretty goals scored by both teams, but in the end the Blackhawks won to tie the series. Some of the big name players started to have an influence this game, with Kane and Toews for the Blackhawks and Lucic for the Bruins having an impact on the score.
Game 5: The momentum swings back to the Blackhawks. Constant pressure on Rask told in the end, despite his best efforts, and they were able to take a two goal lead. Much lower score in this one, partly thanks to better defensive play from both teams. Kane again a key element for the Blackhawks.
Game 6: A close game that took a big swing in the final two minutes. Both teams were playing well, but without one of their big guns (Toews for the Blackhawks, Bergeron for the Bruins). The absences were obviously felt, and it seemed as though the score stayed low through luck and good scramble plays rather than well put-together defense. The Bruins seemed to have emerged victorious, but the empty net play by the Blackhawks led to an ugly goalmouth struggle and a goal. That was then quickly followed by a second, similarly obtained goal to take the win, and the series, in fittingly exciting style.
Final score: 4-1 - The Chicago Blackhawks emerged victorious after a hard fought series. As expected it swung back and forth, with plentiful moments of high drama. The goals and saves weren't as amazing as in previous rounds mind; this was definitely a series fought in the trenches, with breakaways often proving decisive. I didn't think that the first game would be topped, but game 6 lived up to it. Either team would have been deserving of the trophy, and both were surprising in some way. The Bruins offensive capability turned out to be much stronger than I expected, whilst the Blackhawks defensive lines were slightly more resilient than predicted.
Despite the curtailed season, this year's playoffs have been brilliant. There have been some amazing games in all of the rounds, and the level of play has been generally very high. I'm disappointed that I didn't get to watch any of the games live this year, but it just wasn't possibly with everything else I've been up to. Oh well, maybe next year. Now roll on NHL 2013/14!
Game 2: Another overtime game! Not quite as long this time though, and with the opposite outcome - a Bruins win. It was a close game, very physical and scrappy, but less nervous from both sides I thought.
Game 3: Not a good game for the Blackhawks, but an excellent one for the Bruins who blanked their opponents. They played some excellent hockey, and were physical and aggressive with the puck. The Blackhawks looked outplayed, and the highlights I saw didn't show much of them except in defense. They'll have to pick up their game if they want to get back into this series.
(Source: news.sportslogos.net)
Game 4: More overtime, and a fitting culmination to a game that swung back and forth. Neither goaltender came out of this one smelling of roses, with both allowing a lot of goals. The Blackhawks kept scoring first, but the Bruins kept the lead to one goal at most and kept pegging them back. There were some very pretty goals scored by both teams, but in the end the Blackhawks won to tie the series. Some of the big name players started to have an influence this game, with Kane and Toews for the Blackhawks and Lucic for the Bruins having an impact on the score.
Game 5: The momentum swings back to the Blackhawks. Constant pressure on Rask told in the end, despite his best efforts, and they were able to take a two goal lead. Much lower score in this one, partly thanks to better defensive play from both teams. Kane again a key element for the Blackhawks.
Game 6: A close game that took a big swing in the final two minutes. Both teams were playing well, but without one of their big guns (Toews for the Blackhawks, Bergeron for the Bruins). The absences were obviously felt, and it seemed as though the score stayed low through luck and good scramble plays rather than well put-together defense. The Bruins seemed to have emerged victorious, but the empty net play by the Blackhawks led to an ugly goalmouth struggle and a goal. That was then quickly followed by a second, similarly obtained goal to take the win, and the series, in fittingly exciting style.
The Blackhawks celebrate after the winning goal. (Source: chicago.cbslocal.com)
Final score: 4-1 - The Chicago Blackhawks emerged victorious after a hard fought series. As expected it swung back and forth, with plentiful moments of high drama. The goals and saves weren't as amazing as in previous rounds mind; this was definitely a series fought in the trenches, with breakaways often proving decisive. I didn't think that the first game would be topped, but game 6 lived up to it. Either team would have been deserving of the trophy, and both were surprising in some way. The Bruins offensive capability turned out to be much stronger than I expected, whilst the Blackhawks defensive lines were slightly more resilient than predicted.
Despite the curtailed season, this year's playoffs have been brilliant. There have been some amazing games in all of the rounds, and the level of play has been generally very high. I'm disappointed that I didn't get to watch any of the games live this year, but it just wasn't possibly with everything else I've been up to. Oh well, maybe next year. Now roll on NHL 2013/14!
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