Roche: 'I've Changed My Mind' About Stanley Cup Finals
VANCOUVER (CBS) - Let's start with this: I have a good feeling about the Bruins.
Not only in Game Two Saturday night, but in the series.
I picked the Canucks to win the series in 7 games, but I've changed my mind.
I think the B's will beat them.
Why?
Tim Thomas and the power play.
I think those two factors will play out over the rest of the series.
The biggest buzz at the Rogers Arena was how well the Bruins shut down the Canucks in the first two periods.
I think most on hand expected Vancouver to roll over the B's. However, I think those same people have a new found respect for the Black and Gold.
Thomas was superb in Game One. I liked his focus. I love how the bigger the stage gets, the more he seems to relish the moment.
WBZ-TV Sports Reporter Dan Roche reports from Bruins practice in Vancouver
Will he give up a bad goal now and then? Yes, but with Thomas it seems like if he can settle in early, he dominates the rest of the night.
Look for that to happen all series long.
As for the power play, I thought the first unit was very good in Game One.
I thought they had the best puck movement we've seen in a while. Now it's up to Chara, Lucic, and Horton to get in front of Roberto Luongo.
I feel like the power play is turning a corner. For crying out loud, the percentages have to go in their favor soon, don't you think?
As for the Alex Burrows non-suspension for biting Patrice Bergeron?
I think the NHL had no choice in this one.
My colleague Fred Toucher of the Toucher & Rich morning show on 98.5 The Sports Hub felt that Burrows should have been suspended, but it should start next season.
Good idea, but I don't think it would matter much if the Canucks didn't have Burrows for their regular season opener next season.
If they suspended Burrows for Game Two, here's what would happen even though I think it would have been the right thing to do:
1) The Vancouver fans and media would have been screaming about this right up until game time Saturday night. It would have taken over all the talk in the series. Now it just goes away.
2) If the NHL suspended Burrows and the Bruins beat the Canucks in Game Two, it would be used as an excuse as to why they lost. The Bruins wouldn't get any credit for it. And even if Boston went on to win the Cup, the Burrows suspension would have been the reason in the minds of many Canuck fans. In other words, the Bruins couldn't win for winning.
So the best thing is to let it die a simple death and see if Patrice Bergeron and the Bruins can beat the Canucks in this best-of-seven series.
I think they will.
Do you?
Every game of the Stanley Cup Final between the Bruins and Canucks can be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub with pregame coverage beginning 60 minutes before each game with the Dunkin Donuts Bruins Pregame show.
