Times guest blogger Bobby Ryan discusses Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals
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Hello Times readers!
I thought Game 1 was most notably a battle of goaltenders. I thought it came down to them in the first game – which I guess is obvious with only one goal in 60 minutes!
I think a major determining factor in the series will be which goaltender is hotter. It was nice to see both of them play well. Tim Thomas was great last night even in a losing effort – he stonewalled them quite a bit. He kept them in the game, and I thought he was the best player on the ice.
The Bruins missed a couple of opportunities. They had a real good chance early in the game 5-on-3 to get a lead in a tough building, and that’s a real missed chance. The biggest concern I have for them is that their power play is running at like 7 or 8%. It’s a tribute that they have made it this far, but I don’t think they can win without a stronger power play. They aren’t going to beat Vancouver 5-on-5, they are just a stronger, deeper team.
I think it may have been a missed opportunity for Boston because of how well Thomas played, for their sake I hope it’s not. The playoffs, this time of year, it’s about which team creates more chances. Both teams played a pretty safe game. Seemed like the Vancouver game plan was to keep the Sedins away from Chara because he’s so intimidating out there.
I’m friends with Kesler and Thomas, it was nice to see them both play well. It was also nice to see Lappy (Lapierre) get some more ice time. He showed the form a player that he was in the past, making some nice plays at high speed.
Regarding Luongo, he obviously played well again. The question marks about his play in clutch situations have gotten old. He carried his team with a gold medal performance at the Olympics. He’s obvoiusly never been this far in the playoffs, but once he wins, and I think they will win, it will probably put all those naysayers to rest. Knowing the type of competitive person he is, he probably enjoys it, because he’s able to prove to people that they’ve been wrong all along.
If you are Vancouver, I don’t think you change a whole lot for Game 2. Obviously pitching a shutout was a strong defensive effort.
Boston also showed last night why they are such a good team. However, it’s too hard to shut down the Sedins two games in a row. For that reason, I will have to pick Vancouver in Game 2. I think they go back to Boston up 2-0 and win the series in five. You never know, though, because you have a battle of two competitive teams, with two great goaltenders capable of getting (or staying) red hot!
--Bobby Ryan
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The Times is pleased to have Ducks winger Bobby Ryan blogging for us during the Stanley Cup Finals. Ryan also blogged for us during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.