Chase for the Cup: 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Roundup Finals Preview
By Editorial Staff
With the Stanley Cup Finals beginning this evening, it seemed like a perfect time to break down both teams in preparation of tonight’s game, as well as the series.
Game 1: Wednesday June 1st, 8pm Eastern. @ VANCOUVER
Game 2: Saturday June 4th, 8pm Eastern. @ VANCOUVER
Game 3: Monday June 6th, 8pm Eastern. @ BOSTON
Game 4: Wednesday June 8th, 8pm Eastern. @ BOSTON
**Game 5: Friday June 10th, 8pm Eastern. @ VANCOUVER
**Game 6: Monday June 13th, 8pm Eastern. @ BOSTON
**Game 7: Wednesday June 15th, 8pm Eastern. @ VANCOUVER
Vancouver Canucks
Playoff Record: 12-6
Goals For/Goals Against: 50 (4th)/46 (15th)
Playoff Power Play %: 28.3% (3rd)
Playoff Penalty Kill %: 80.6% (8th)
Vancouver’s Leading Scorers: 1. Henrik Sedin 2G 19A – 21 PTS (Leads playoffs) 2. Ryan Kesler 7G 11A – 18 PTS (4th) 3. Daniel Sedin 8G 8A – 16 PTS (9th)
Top Scoring Defenseman: Christian Ehrhoff 2G 11A – 13 PTS (2nd amongst all defensemen)
Goalies: Roberto Luongo 12 W (T-1st), 2.29 GAA (T-1st), .922 SV% (9th), 2 shutouts (T-1st); Cory Schneider 0-0, 3.09 GAA, .878 SV%, 0 shutouts
Ice Time Leaders: 1. Kevin Bieksa-D 25:56/Game (15th) 2. Dan Hamhuis-D 25:45/Game (17th) 3. Alex Edler-D 24:57/Game (20th)
Hits Leaders: 1. Maxime Lapierre-F 63 (2nd) 2. Kevin Bieksa-D 62 (3rd) 3. Ryan Kesler-F 56 (4th)
Blocked Shots: 1. Alex Edler-D 38 (10th) 2. Dan Hamhuis-D 38 (11th) 3. Kevin Bieksa-D 24 (20th)
Key Injuries: F-Manny Malhotra, eye: Cleared to play in Stanley Cup Final; F-Mikael Samuelsson, sports hernia: Expected to miss the rest of the playoffs; F-Ryan Kesler, groin strain: Probable for Game 1; D-Aaron Rome, head: Probable for Game 1; D-Christian Ehrhoff, shoulder: Probable for Game One; D-Lee Sweatt, broken foot: Out for playoffs; F-Rick Rypien, personal: Out Indefinitely
Boston Bruins
Playoff Record: 12-6
Goals For/Goals Against: 58 (2nd)/45 (14th)
Playoff Power Play %: 8.2% (14th)
Playoff Penalty Kill %: 79.4% (9th)
Vancouver’s Leading Scorers: 1. David Krejci 10G 7A – 17 PTS (5th) 2. Nathan Horton 8G 9A – 17 PTS (6th) 3. Patrice Bergeron 4G11A – 15 PTS (12th)
Top Scoring Defenseman: Dennis Seidenberg 1G 7A – 8 PTS (7th)/Tomas Kaberle 0G 8A – 8 PTS (8th)
Goalies: Tim Thomas 12 W (T-1st), 2.29 GAA (T-1st), .929 SV% (5th), 2 shutouts (T-1st); Tuukka Rask-HAS NOT PLAYED IN 2011 NHL PLAYOFFS
Ice Time Leaders: 1. Dennis Seidenberg-D 28:22/Game (3rd) 2. Zdeno Chara-D 28:17/Game (4th) 3. Johnny Boychuk-D 21:10/Game (74th)
Hits Leaders: 1. Milan Lucic-F 43 (8th) 2. Zdeno Chara-D 40 (14th) 3. Dennis Seidenberg-D 39 (17th)
Blocked Shots: 1. Dennis Seidenberg-D 55 (1st) 2. Andrew Ference-D 32 (12th) 3. Zdeno Chara-D 21 (29th)
Key Injuries: F-Trent Whitfield, achilles surgery: out indefinitely; F-Marc Savard, concussion: out indefinitely;
News and Rumours Around the League:
-If you missed it yesterday, the Atlanta Thrashers are moving to Winnipeg, once approval is gained from the June 21st Board of Governors meeting. While the status of most employees is still up in the air, Don Waddell will not be moving to Winnipeg and will be resigning his post as President of the Team.
-The Montreal Canadiens re-signed the biggest piece of their blueline yesterday, inking Hal Gill to a one-year contract worth $2.25 million.
-Casey Cizikas has reached an agreement with the New York Islanders on his three-year entry-level contract. The Mississauga/St. Michael’s Majors Captain (OHL) just finished playing for the host team in the Memorial Cup.
-Patrik Berglund earned a vote of confidence from the Blues that he’s their man going forward, as the young Swede signed a two-year contract yesterday.
-And former Whaler and Blue Jacket (among other things) Kevin Dineen has found a big-league job behind the bench. Dineen was announced as the successor to Pete DeBoer as Head Coach for the Florida Panthers. Dineen has been the Head Coach of the Portland Pirates (AHL) for the last seven seasons.
You can follow Bryan on Twitter at BryanThiel_88.