After seeing the San Jose Sharks avoid what could have been a disaster and eliminate the Detroit Red Wings last night we will finally get to see the Conference Finals begin this weekend. With both series being as well matched as any fan could hope for I will look at the teams and how the series should shape up. As the series schedule begins with the East starting this off tomorrow that is where I too start with my look into both series’.
Boston Bruins vs Tampa Bay Lightning
After a long break both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins will be chomping at the bit come Saturday’s first game. With the exception of Patrice Bergeron and Pavel Kubina being out with post concussion symptoms, both line-up’s are as close to being healthy as they could hope for. It will be interesting to see how this series unfolds as both clubs match up fairly well on paper and while being quite different they do have some similar elements to their structure.
The Bruins
For Boston to be successful they will need to continue having a balanced attack with contributions coming from all sources, that was crucial in their successful wins in their opening rounds. If there was ever a time for Tomas Kaberle to step up this is it; he has not looked comfortable since coming over from Toronto and one can only hope the extended break between series will have given him some much needed time to absorb more of what Claude Julien is looking for from Kaberle as well as helping the veteran rearguard get settled in to his new surroundings. Look for Tim Thomas to be a factor in net for the Bruins as he will be called upon to provide the Bruins with the support needed to hold off a hot and balanced Tampa Bay offense. If Thomas can hold the fort, along with Zedeno Chara being the monster that he is every night and the emergence of Nathan Horton as a top flight talent the Bruins could be in good shape.
It will be interesting to monitor the status of Patrice Bergeron throughout the series. He had been a standout with his smart two way play vs. Montreal and then Philadelphia prior to running into Claude Giroux. Bergeron is one of the better shut down players in the game and wins battles on the boards on a consistent basis. If he is able to go and contribute it will give the Bruins a much needed boost to their line-up.
The Lightning
It has been an exciting time to be in Tampa Bay let alone to be a Lightning fan. On the coat tails of a tremendous season the Bolts have been one of the better stories of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With key contributions coming from Martin St.Louis, Steve Stamkos Dwayne Rolson along with Vincent Lecavalier playing some of his best hockey in years, Tampa Bay has been playing its best hockey since they won the Stanley Cup in 2004. The job done by Guy Boucher and his staff is nothing short of Jack Adams’ award territory and the players have bought in with a well balanced line-up proving their worth as role players such as Dominic Moore, Nate Thompson and Adam Hall have shut down some of the league’s best, none more so than Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
This will be another test and challenge for Tampa Bay as they take on the Boston Bruins with Boucher looking to his defence to make sure Dwayne Roloson is protected and able to make the saves needed against their confident and hungry opponent. Victor Hedman looks as though he has turned the corner and has started to show the makings of becoming one of the best defensemen in the game. With strong play from the young Swede along with his countryman Mattias Ohlund and Eric Brewer, the Lightning will be able to ice big bodies needed to contain a balanced attack that Boston will be bringing every night.
Near not fans of the wild Western Conference, I have your backs and will provide my analysis of the upcoming series between the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks shortly.
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