Originally posted by Dan
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Maybe I’m missing something but I don’t get all the doom and gloom? Perhaps it’s just a way to be surprised, but not all that disappointed. Obviously anything can happen, but Boston should be a clear favorite...
http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/26806175/2019-stanley-cup-final-numbers-how-bruins-blues-match-up
As for the Bruins long layoff the Blues have sat around for nearly a week themselves. Their enthusiasm, puck skills and goaltending are just as likely to be impacted negatively as Boston’s...
As for the Blues’ huge home-ice advantage - St Louis is 5-5 in the playoffs at home this season. By comparison the Bruins are 6-3. Boston is also 6-2 on the road and has had no problem winning in hostile playoff atmospheres...
As for St Louis’ hot stretch of three in a row, Boston is won six in a row...
As for Boston’s playoff opponents - Toronto is an elite team, Columbus was as talented as any one post-trade deadline and Im pretty sure they mentioned Carolina had one of the top-five records in the NHL much of the second half of the season...
As for being due - there’s no such thing. I doubt these Blues will find experience or good fortune from the 70’s Blues struggles (or Pesky holding the ball, etc.). if anyone’s ‘due’ recent history might tell you it’s been an uncharacteristically long time since Boston won a title based on how often the city wins titles these days...
Boston has the best forward line in the series, the more balanced offensive attack, the better GF/GA ranking, the far better PP, the far better PK and a more experienced (and far hotter) goaltender in Rask (1.84/.942 to Binnington’s 2.36/.914)...
Boston’s top line is a +15 (18:3) at even-strength play while STL’s is -1 (5:6). Boston’s top D-Pair is +8 (13:5). STL’s is +1 (7:6)...
Overall Boston has much more post-season and Stanley Cup experience and the intangible ‘leadership’ edge...
And honestly, if storylines have any impact on a series Boston being an obnoxious winner, winning its third title in a year and owning St Louis (Sox twice, Pats essentially twice) in the last fifteen years destroys last original expansion team to win on the ‘fate-meter’...
I mean, things happen - but Boston has plenty of reason to be optimistic. Everything that many are SO high on for St Louis is overshadowed by Boston’s results in the same categories. It’s the ‘I tout and overvalue the regular dude/team for doing less than the superstar/great team because I don’t expect it from one and take it for granted from the other’ argument in a nut shell...
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Also, Oklahoma, UCLA, Washington, Florida, Arizona, Minnesota, Alabama and Oklahoma State advance to the WCWS. Only OSU won as a road underdog. The winner likely comes from the top (first) three listed - but if there’s a spoiler look for #8 Alabama or #13 OSU to fill that role...
http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/26806175/2019-stanley-cup-final-numbers-how-bruins-blues-match-up
As for the Bruins long layoff the Blues have sat around for nearly a week themselves. Their enthusiasm, puck skills and goaltending are just as likely to be impacted negatively as Boston’s...
As for the Blues’ huge home-ice advantage - St Louis is 5-5 in the playoffs at home this season. By comparison the Bruins are 6-3. Boston is also 6-2 on the road and has had no problem winning in hostile playoff atmospheres...
As for St Louis’ hot stretch of three in a row, Boston is won six in a row...
As for Boston’s playoff opponents - Toronto is an elite team, Columbus was as talented as any one post-trade deadline and Im pretty sure they mentioned Carolina had one of the top-five records in the NHL much of the second half of the season...
As for being due - there’s no such thing. I doubt these Blues will find experience or good fortune from the 70’s Blues struggles (or Pesky holding the ball, etc.). if anyone’s ‘due’ recent history might tell you it’s been an uncharacteristically long time since Boston won a title based on how often the city wins titles these days...
Boston has the best forward line in the series, the more balanced offensive attack, the better GF/GA ranking, the far better PP, the far better PK and a more experienced (and far hotter) goaltender in Rask (1.84/.942 to Binnington’s 2.36/.914)...
Boston’s top line is a +15 (18:3) at even-strength play while STL’s is -1 (5:6). Boston’s top D-Pair is +8 (13:5). STL’s is +1 (7:6)...
Overall Boston has much more post-season and Stanley Cup experience and the intangible ‘leadership’ edge...
And honestly, if storylines have any impact on a series Boston being an obnoxious winner, winning its third title in a year and owning St Louis (Sox twice, Pats essentially twice) in the last fifteen years destroys last original expansion team to win on the ‘fate-meter’...
I mean, things happen - but Boston has plenty of reason to be optimistic. Everything that many are SO high on for St Louis is overshadowed by Boston’s results in the same categories. It’s the ‘I tout and overvalue the regular dude/team for doing less than the superstar/great team because I don’t expect it from one and take it for granted from the other’ argument in a nut shell...
—-
Also, Oklahoma, UCLA, Washington, Florida, Arizona, Minnesota, Alabama and Oklahoma State advance to the WCWS. Only OSU won as a road underdog. The winner likely comes from the top (first) three listed - but if there’s a spoiler look for #8 Alabama or #13 OSU to fill that role...
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