2013 Stanley Cup Finals Odds, Free Picks and Predictions: Boston Bruins vs Chicago Blackhawks Series Preview and Expert Picks: Potential dynasties are at stake for both sides when the Boston Bruins meet the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals. The series is a battle between two of the NHL’s original six franchises and also a matchup of two of the last three Stanley Cup champs. Chicago claimed the title in 2010 while Boston did the same in 2011, and whichever team emerges victorious can make a strong argument to being the NHL’s next dynasty.
Both sides have taken eerily similar paths to the finals. Boston needed a miraculous rally in Game 7 of their series with Toronto just to advance out of the first round while Chicago had to rally from a 3-1 series deficit to sneak by Detroit in the semifinals. From there, the Blackhawks dominated the defending champion Los Angeles Kings in their conference finals matchup while the Bruins took down the 2009 champion Pittsburgh Penguins in four straight. Both teams are battle tested, and both seem to be peaking at the right time.
In addition to their similar paths through the playoffs, both teams share a similar defensive-minded style. Chicago allowed the fewest goals in the NHL during the regular season, and Boston allowed the third fewest. During the playoffs, the teams have switched positions with the Bruins owning the best goals against average and the Blackhawks the third best. Granted, Chicago’s offense was drastically better during the regular season, but the Bruins have actually been scoring more goals per game in the postseason.
The rosters of both teams are loaded with quality players. While Boston has the likes of David Krejci, Nathan Horton and Milan Lucic on the offensive end, Chicago has Patrick Sharp, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews. Defensively, the Bruins have Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg manning the blue line while the Blackhawks have Duncan Keith. Throw in Corey Crawford and Tuukka Rask in net, and both teams have plenty of firepower and star power on both ends of the ice.
The Bruins Win If:
When the Bruins’ offense is struggling, it is usually because only their top line is generating offense. If Boston is going to take down a Chicago team with a stout defense of its own, the Bruins will have to take advantage of their depth. If Boston can generate quality scoring chances on every shift regardless of the unit, the Bruins can outscore a Blackhawks’ offense that has a strong core of its own. On the defensive end, Chara must continue to lead a brutal physical attack, and Rask must continue to be the goalie that has compiled the best save percentage in the playoffs to this point. Boston isn’t going to win a high-scoring series, but the Bruins can win a tough-man contest. There is a reason the Bruins are 5-1-1 on the road in the postseason when most teams survive by merely protecting home ice. If this series comes down to which team can get nastier and grittier, Boston’s depth and big group of defensemen can deliver them the Stanley Cup.
The Blackhawks Win If:
Chicago’s ability to win both defensive battles and offensive shootouts has been crucial, but if the Blackhawks are going to handle a Boston team with a great defense of its own, they need to take advantage of their offensive firepower. Hossa and Sharp have been consistent throughout the postseason, and if Kane and Toews build on their momentum from the past series, the Chicago offense will put a ton of pressure on both of Boston’s unit. In net, Crawford doesn’t have to carry the team on his back, but he must continue to be the backbone of the Blackhawks’ defense and make all the saves that he should make. As a whole, the Blackhawks’ defense needs to make players other than Krejci and Horton beat them. Chicago was the most-balanced team on both ends of the ice in the regular season, and if the Blackhawks make sure that the Bruins have to match them both offensively and defensively, Boston will be in trouble.
Bottom Line:
While both teams have stout defenses, Boston’s unit has been nothing short of incredible lately. Keep in mind that the Penguins had the highest-scoring offense in the NHL this year, and the Bruins just stifled it. In fact, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jarome Iginla, James Neal and Kris Letang combined for zero points in the series. Granted, Chicago’s offense has plenty of speed and firepower of its own, but with Chara and company dishing out punishment and clogging the passing lanes and Rask providing excellent play in net, there isn’t a lineup around that is going to pile up many points. In a series that features two strong goalies, two excellent defenses and two penalty-kill units performing nearly flawlessly, nothing is going to come easy for either side. Boston’s edge in depth from top and bottom and proven ability to shut down a high-scoring offense should allow them to wear down the speedy Blackhawks and grind their way to another Stanley Cup title.
Prediction: Boston Bruins Win in 6 Games
Boston Bruins vs Chicago Blackhawks Series Odds
Boston Bruins +125
Chicago Blackhawks -145
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