Stanley Cup Finals: 5 Reasons Why the Bruins Are Still in It

Tonight is Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The series shifts to Boston where New Englanders will be hungry for chowda and a big win.

With the Canucks up 2-0 in the series, this is an absolute must win for the Bruins. Losing this game means they will be down by an almost insurmountable 0-3 deficit.

Luongo has been stellar in net for Vancouver, and Boston has a huge task at hand tonight. However, unlike other 0-2 deficits, the Bruins are very much in this.

We saw in 2009, the Penguins went down 0-2 to the Red Wings and ended up winning the series. This year's Bruins have a few similarities to that Pittsburgh team and here are five reasons why they are still alive and well in this series.

Shots, Shots, Shots

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VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 04: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins skates with the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during Game Two of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 4, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Harry Ho

Boston may be down 0-2 but it's not like they're getting heavily outshot in any of the games. They had 36 shots in Game 1 and 30 shots in Game 2. Both of these games were on the road.

With Boston now at the comforts of home, they'll still be able muster shots on net. And it's not like the shots they're getting off are bad chances. Luongo has had to make some unbelievable saves to keep Boston off the scoreboard.

Both of Boston's goals came in front of the net last game and they need to continue doing that with their physical players like Milan Lucic and David Krejci clogging and crashing the net.

It would be a completely different story if Vancouver was massively outshooting Boston in the first two games. But Boston is very much in it. Vancouver's defense has been leaky and they're allowing a lot of shots.

Boston is hoping their defense clamps down and stops Vancouver from getting just as many shots. Home advantage may help them there.

They're Staying out of the Box

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VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 04: Sami Salo #6 of the Vancouver Canucks fights for the puck against Mark Recchi #28 of the Boston Bruins during Game Two of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 4, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Ph

In Game 1, Boston had 14 penalty minutes and gave Vancouver five power play opportunities. Although they had five opportunities of their own, Boston's power play does not measure up to Vancouver's thunderous power play.

In Game 2 though, the Bruins only allowed two power play opportunities. They made the adjustment and learned that if they want to win they need to keep Vancouver out of the box. At home, they'll have the rowdy home crowd behind and get a few calls that they wouldn't on the road.

The Boston power play is not going to do much, but if they can keep it an even strength game they'll be able to limit Vancouver's chances and be able to win the puck possession game.

Tim Thomas

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VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 04: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins tends goal against the Vancouver Canucks during Game Two of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 4, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Ima

Boston's defense has been leaky, but Tim Thomas has been very strong in net throughout the series. He's been taking the punches and literally been harassed in net.

In a few instances throughout Game 3, Thomas was found scrambling outside of the net and he had to skate back to the crease and get in position. He was still able to keep his composure.

The four goals allowed by Thomas have not been his fault. If one is going to point fingers, they should blame the Bruins' defense. If they can just clamp down a little bit and give Thomas an easier time, they will be able to win at home and get back in the series.

Series Hasn't Started Until Someone Wins a Road Game

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 27: Tomas Kaberle #12, Adam McQuaid #54 and Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins defend in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on May 27, 2011 i

It's the old cliche. We saw in the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals that every team won at home until Game 7.

Pittsburgh won Game 7 on the road and won the series. If Boston can take care of business at home, they'll be evened up heading to Game 5.

They shouldn't panic yet. They know that all they have to do is win at home and win one road game and they'll win the Cup.

Boston's boisterous home crowd will be a factor especially in the first period after Rene Rancourt's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

Vancouver Has Struggled to Close out Series

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VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 04: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against Michael Ryder #73 of the Boston Bruins during Game Two of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Arena on June 4, 2011 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by H

As mentioned before, this series is long from over.

Vancouver struggled closing out both Nashville and Chicago in the playoffs this year. Although they took care of business against San Jose rather quickly, the fact that they have been suspect in closing series is still there. Boston is not a joke.

Their defense will pick up, they're getting shots on net, and they have an A+ goaltender who will steal a few games for them.

The series is definitely not over yet, so stay tuned America.