NHL Finals 2011: 5 Reasons the Boston Bruins Can Win the Cup

Coming into the Stanley Cup Finals, the Vancouver Canucks were heavily favored to win the whole thing.

However, the Boston Bruins aren’t giving up that easily.

While Vancouver took the first two games of the series, Boston has dominated in their past two home victories.

With outings like these, the Bruins have shown they are just as capable of winning the Cup as the Canucks. If Boston can keep up a few things, they could be looking forward to a parade very soon.

The Sedin Twins Aren’t Scoring.

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 08: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks falls over Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins during Game Four of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 8, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Bruins need to do whatever they can to continue keeping the Sedins from scoring.

Daniel Sedin showed up for a bit in Game 2. He scored the game-tying goal then assisted on the game-winner, but other than that the twins have little to show this series.

Henrik Sedin just recorded his first shot on goal of the series during Game 4.

The Canucks have a strong team in addition to the Sedins, but the lack of the twins’ productivity have really hurt Vancouver so far.

Penalty Kills

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 08: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks falls over Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins during Game Four of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 8, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Vancouver was 0-for-6 in Game 4 and is 1-for-22 overall in the finals. To make things worse, they gave up two shorthanded goals in Game 3.

Boston has done a great job of keeping the Canucks from capitalizing on penalties, even with the numerous opportunities they’ve had in the last few minutes of the past two games.

Tim Thomas

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 08: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in Game Four of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 8, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canu

The Boston goalie has been great in the last two games. He had 38 saves in Game 4 for his third shutout of postseason.

While he gave up crucial goals at terrible times in the first two games of the series, he has stopped 78 of 79 shots in Boston’s Game 3 and 4 victories.

Luongo Is Rattled

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 08: Michael Ryder (not pictured) #73 of the Boston Bruins scores a goal in the second period against Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Four of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 8, 2011 in Boston, M

On the other side of the ice we have the Canucks’ goalie.

Roberto Luongo began the series on fire, allowing only two goals on 66 shots in Games 1 and 2. However, he has struggled in past two games.

He has now allowed 12 goals on 58 shots in Games 3 and 4.

Cory Schneider will probably start Game 5, but if Luongo is in the net, the Bruins may be able to keep him from regaining any confidence he has left. He looks completely unnerved.

They’ve Controlled the Canucks

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BOSTON, MA - JUNE 08: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins dodges Daniel Sedin #22 of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Four of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 8, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Vancouver has shown to be the speedier team on the ice, but the Bruins have been able to keep most of the control during the last two games.

Boston’s physical play shook up the Canucks in Game 3 and they kept it going during Game 4. If the Bruins can keep up their energy, they will have a definite advantage throughout the rest of the series.