2024 Stanley Cup Final

While I for one thought the Vancouver Canucks would be here, I wasn't so sure the Boston Bruins would. None the less both teams have impressed me with their play and are deserving of representing their respective conferences to decide who will be the next RSHL Champion. Let's go!!!

2024   Stanley Cup Final

Boston Bruins(2) vs Vancouver Canucks(4)

Vancouver at least on paper look to be the dominant team here. It would be hard to argue otherwise and it's not meant to be any offense to Boston. The Canucks play in the first round was a typical display of their scoring prowess as they outscored the St.Louis Blues with ease. The Canucks easily solved Linus Ullmark and swept the Blues away. Where Vancouver really impressed me was their series against Edmonton. I took the Canucks in 7 games simply because I liked their strong depth and when down 3-2 in the series they opened up the guns and outscored the Oilers 10-6 in the final 2 games. Vancouver's up tempo game was in full display yet again and this time it was the Anaheim Ducks who fell victim to the wave after wave attack. There simply was no denying Vancouver as they dispatched Anaheim in only 5 games. The Canucks love to score goals. "The best defense is a strong offense" is what Vancouver's GM Leni Loconte has preached and he has the hardware to back that up. Just take a look at the playoff scoring leaders. Alex Ovechkin, David Pastrnak, and Leon Driasaitl  are 1,2,3 in playoff scoring and look practically unstoppable. Oh by the way in case you didn't know, the top 3 defensemen point wise so far? Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, and Roman Josi. The stars are shining brightly in Vancouver and they are aligned at the right time of year. I didn't even mention Steve Stamkos or J.T.Miller.  Mr.Loconte has done very well in constructing his team and again on the verge of becoming a 5 time Stanley Cup Champion. I like his odds.

Boston for their part have nothing to be ashamed of. The job GM Stoll did to hastily turn the fortunes of his team around was nothing short of outstanding. How he wasn't even nominated for the Executive Trophy is beyond me. Not only making the right moves but going after the right players to build his team were spot on. They entered the playoffs with optimism and would open against the Tampa Bay Lightning. While Tampa put up a game effort, Boston showcased a little fire power of their own and quickly swept the Lightning from the playoffs. The 2nd round against Montreal was where I saw what Boston was made of. Despite being shutout twice and down 3-2 in the series, there was no panic as the Bruins would outscore the Habs 4-1 and 3-1 to take a highly entertaining 7 game series. While Vancouver puts the onus on offense, Boston leans heavily on defense and their goaltending. Of note Vitek Vanecek had been on quite a run before going down to injury in the series against the Islanders. He was 10-3 with a GAA of 1.71 and a .933%. Frederik Andersen has played very well in relief and will most likely get the start until Vanecek is ready to go. The series against New York was an interesting one as the Islanders seemed to want to rough up the Bruins but Boston wasn't biting. Instead their power play was on fire and almost  every time New York took liberties the Bruins would make them pay. It was the difference in the series I believe and I really was surprised at the Islanders lack of discipline and Boston's special teams. A sweep was the farthest thing on my mind.

I like Boston's game. It's tempered and defensively sound. I just don't think it can survive the sustained pressure it's going to get from Vancouver. Given that Vancouver also has home ice advantage I think the Canucks just have that much more to give the Bruins fits. Congratulations to both clubs for getting this far and Boston has earned my respect but Vancouver will win this series.

Prediction: Canucks in 6