Bruins Lead the Finals Two Games to One

The Boston Bruins took a two games to one lead in the Stanley Cup finals by posting a (2-0) win vs the Chicago Blackhawks in game three at Boston.

After dropping game one to Chicago in triple overtime, the Bruins won (2-1) in overtime in game two. Daniel Paille, not only won game two with an overtime goal, but scored the opening/ game winning goal in game three.

Goaltender Tuukka Rask has been splendid and recorded his third shutout of the semi-finals and finals. He has allowed but three goals in the six Bruins’ wins in those rounds. Chicago had four goals to hand the Bruins their only loss of the two rounds in game one of the finals.

A third outstanding player to cite is Patrice Bergeron, who had the Cup winning goal for Boston in 2011. In these playoffs, as the Bruins bid to win a second Stanley Cup in three seasons for the third time in their history, he had the tying and winning goals in the Bruins’ miracle win in game seven vs the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Bergeron also had a goal  in game three last night. In game three of the “semis” vs the favored Pittsburgh Penguins he scored in the second overtime to give Boston a commanding (3-0) series lead.

As cited above the Bruins, who are seeking their seventh Stanley Cup in their 88 year history, are bidding to win a second Cup in three seasons, for a third time.

Boston won the Stanley Cup in 1939 and then 1941. A 29 year drought ensued before Bobby Orr’s “flying through the air” goal on Mother’s Day (May 10th), 1970 ended the drought.

Two years later Orr again had the Cup winning goal, putting the Bruins ahead to stay as Gerry Cheevers shutout the New York Rangers (3-0) in game six of the finals to clinch a second title in three seasons. It was the second time the Bruins accomplished that feat.

The Bruins ended a 39 year “Cup drought” (a year after the Chicago Blackhawks ended a 49 year one), by winning game seven of the finals at Vancouver in 2011.

That year the Bruins were (5-0) on Mondays in the playoffs including home wins in  games three and six of the finals.

Last night was the Bruins’ 10th straight Monday playoffs win and fourth this season. That includes the miracle win vs Toronto in the preliminary round.

In that seventh and series deciding game, now five weeks ago, Boston trailed (4-1) but rallied to win (5-4) in overtime. Now they are two wins away from the title. Perhaps Boston will get a chance to make it 11 straight Monday wins and clinch the Cup title at home for the first time since 1970. Game six, if necessary  is scheduled in Boston next Monday night.