2011 NHL Stanley Cup Finals: Game-by-Game Predictions for the Canucks vs. Bruins

With the Stanley Cup Finals just days away, all of us fans are chomping at the bit to see the puck drop.

This year the Finals feature two teams that have fantastic offensive talent and also sport two of the best goalies in the league.

With all of the questions and story lines surrounding the series, all that's left to do is just play.

So here are my game-by-game predictions of how this Stanley Cup Finals is going to play out.

Game 1: Boston Bruins at Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 26: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks deflects the puck wide of goalie Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins during the third period in NHL action on February 26, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canad

Both teams have had a little bit of time off, but Vancouver was off about four days before the Bruins managed to pull out game seven against the Lightning.

It's possible that this extra waiting time could have a certain effect on the Canucks since they have been at home for almost two weeks now.

The Bruins could take advantage of this, but it's pretty likely that we will see a certain amount of feeling each other out at the beginning of this game, since neither team is very familiar with the other.

Also, that slower beginning should help ease all of the players into things as both of these teams are now in unfamiliar territory.

Keeping emotions in check will be a huge necessity for this game, because the second that players get too excited and try and make too much happen, suddenly they can be caught out of position and boom, back of the net.

Tim Thomas especially needs to hold on to his emotions.  He's a very emotional guy who plays super aggressively, and if he gets too excited and over commits, then the very patient Canucks will take advantage of that.

Vancouver has been lights out at home ever since their struggles in the first round, only dropping one game in overtime to the Predators.

Vancouver settles in the fastest and takes better advantage of their chances in the first game.  They may have to come from behind, similar to game 1 of the conference finals, but Vancouver will take game 1.

Game 2: Boston Bruins at Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver Leads Series 1-0

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 26: Chris Kelly #23 and Johnny Boychuck #55 of the Boston Bruins stand on the ice during the second period in NHL action on February 26, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty I

The Boston Bruins have bounced back just as well as anybody in the NHL during this year's run to the final.

They were down two games to none after losing the first two games to Montreal on home ice in the first round, only to win the next two games in a hostile Montreal environment.

They also bounced back against the Lightning after dropping game one on home ice, and evening things up in game two.

Game two of the finals will require the same type of bounce back.

Personally, I see this game going into overtime, where Boston has performed well this post season.  Vancouver has done alright in overtime, and overtime won't phase them, but I think Boston pulls this one out on a big overtime goal.

Game 3: Vancouver Canucks at Boston Bruins, Series Tied 1-1

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 26: Alexandre Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks gets in close to Milan Lucic #17 of the Boston Bruins on a face-off during the third period in NHL action on February 26, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia,

Game three will be another game where Boston will have to master their emotions, as Boston will host a game in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1990.

One thing that has marked Boston's playoff run has been severe defensive inconsistency, and this is the game where I think this will begin to show.

The Canucks thrive on opponents making mistakes, and game three will be no different.

Boston makes a lot of mistakes and Vancouver makes them pay.

Thomas will save the day on a couple of these opportunities, but the Canucks will be patient and continue to force the Bruins to make mistakes.  Thomas will eventually give one up.

Probably on a play where he will have absolutely no chance at all.

This game may look like a runaway, and Boston will have to make some adjustments.

Game 4: Vancouver Canucks at Boston Bruins, Vancouver Leads Series 2-1

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 26: Mikael Samuelsson #26 of the Vancouver Canucks is stopped by goalie Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins while Johnny Boychuck #55 helps on the back check during the second period in NHL action on February 26, 2011 at Roger

This is a really hard one to chose.

During the playoffs, with the exception of the first round, when Vancouver smelled blood, they pounced on their opponents and did not let them back up.

Boston, on the other hand, when they have had a game where they are incredibly inconsistent and give up a lot of goals, identify the areas where they were bad and are immediately better the next game.

After game one against the Lighting, Boston was great all around in game two.  After a bad game six, they were fantastic in game seven.

I expect game four of the finals will see Boston come out in a similar fashion.

This might be the first game of the series that is truly a goaltender's duel.

Count on a lot of chances, and a lot of fantastic saves, and a very low scoring game.

What troubles my choice is I really can't decide who is going to be the one to get it, because both teams have guys that just manage to score when their team needs them to.

The first person that jumps out to me is Ryan Kesler, who has been huge for Vancouver throughout the playoffs, and he'll further his case for Conn Smythe winner by putting the game winner in for this one, and give Vancouver a stranglehold of the series.

Game 5: Boston Bruins at Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver Leads Series 3-1

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 26: Mason Raymond #21 of the Vancouver Canucks tries to chip the puck past Tomas Kaberle #12 of the Boston Bruins during the second period in NHL action on February 26, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Cana

Game five will be a different story for the Canucks, who will have to master not only their emotions, but the emotions of a city that has been starving for a Stanley Cup title for about 40 years now.

Boston will show their ability to bounce back again in this game, as long as they are able to keep cool and not force too many things.

"One game at a time," will have to be the mantra for the Bruins, and this time around it will hit home.

The game will be close, but Boston will pull away late to force a game six back on home ice.

Canucks fans will have to go home a bit disappointed, not being able to see the cup skated on home ice.

Game 6: Vancouver Canucks at Boston Bruins, Vancouver Leads Series 3-2

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VANCOUVER, BC - MAY 24: Ryan Kesler #17, goaltender Roberto Luongo #1, Chris Tanev #18 and Keith Ballard #4 of the Vancouver Canucks and their teammates celebrate after they defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-2 in double-overtime in Game Five to win the West

Boston will have to look to continue their consistent play, but they have had a lot of trouble with that all playoffs long.

The Canucks will be much calmer this time around, and will take advantage of a Bruins team that will be trying to do just a little bit too much.

Luongo will play very well, and Thomas will, again, make a lot of good saves but it just won't be enough.

Vancouver will keep their composure, do what is necessary, take advantage of their chances, and will win their first ever Stanley Cup Championship.

This will also be the first Canadian team to win a cup since Montreal won back in 1993.

Ryan Kesler will be the Conn Smyte winner, and the Canucks will skate the cup on Boston's ice, and will be greeted like heroes when they return to Vancouver.