Fear Not John R

Have you been following tweets from JayRCallahan (aka John R Callahan)?  His Twitter updates are highly entertaining and worth checking out http://twitter.com/#!/jayrcallahan  Seems John R was curious about a couple of topics last week.  One was what percentage of the male population that actually tuned into Oprah's show.  The second was fear of a Vancouver versus Tampa Bay Stanley Cup Final and its effect on TV ratings.  While I don't have the answer on Oprah's male viewers, I can say this, FEAR NOT JOHN R AND VERSUS, THE BRUINS ARE GOING TO THE FINALS!

I am actually a bit perplexed that former Pond Meadow and Faxon Park pond hockey legend John R had any doubt about the Bruins winning game seven.  I am pleased to report he is doing well, in fact on Saturday morning my cell phone rang, it was the legend blaring the Bruins WSBK-TV38 theme song from the Dropkick Murphys into my ear.  All is well in Pond Meadow and Faxon Park.  

It's been 21 years and the Boston Bruins are finally going to the Stanley Cup Finals.  This will be an interesting match up.  First the Vancouver Canucks are favored and their media is lacking no confidence.  The Vancouver Sun sports section actually seemed pleased the Canucks will play the Bruins and predicted the Canucks will win.  I believe this series will be a closer one than most people think.

Goaltending.  Tim Thomas will rise to the occasion.  Roberto Luongo is no slouch, however, I give the goal tending edge to the Bruins.

Defense.  Zdeno Chiaro and Dennis Siedenberg will log lots of minutes.  Johnny Boychuk and Andrew Ference are solid and Thomas Kaberle will have to deliver on the power play.  I like the Bruin defense despite Vancouver's Kevin Bieksa, Alexander Edler, and Dan Hamhuis all being solid two-way defensemen.  The Bruins are stronger here.

Forwards.  It's really easy to figure this one out, the Bruins cannot take penalties.  If they get sloppy, this will be a short series.  The potent Vancouver forwards led by the Sedin twins, Ryan Kessler and the return of Manny Malholtra (possibly), are outstanding.  Bruins forwards are winning faceoffs and transition well.  The Canucks forwards (and special teams) are just better. 

Bruins in six.