Jun 12, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Bruins players Torey Krug (47) , Dennis Seidenberg (44) and Tuukka Rask (40) skate off the ice after Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw (not pictured) scores the game-winning goal during the third overtime in game one of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
The Bruins know that their mistakes gave away game one to the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks know they got a little lucky. The Blackhawks know they got a few gifts. The Blackhawks are also an amazing team that will do everything in their power to make sure they will capitalize on every error Boston makes. With all that being said, Chicago will do everything it can to close the doors on their end as well.
“We can be a little better,” defenseman Duncan Keith said. “Obviously, they scored a couple goals off the rush there. The first one was kind of off a forecheck off the rush. But I think just being aware when those guys are out there, having good back pressure, and trying to keep the puck in their zone as much as we can when they’re on the ice helps, too.”
Corey Crawford will be do everything he can to avoid the three goals that were scored against him in game one. At this point, it’s either Crawford’s or Tuukka Rask‘s Conn Smythe award to win. (Although would could make a good argument for David Krejci.)
“They’re a tough line to stop,” Crawford said referring to the Krejci line. “They’re big. They’re strong and they go to the net hard, but they make plays. Our guys, you know, just try to keep them on the outside as much as possible. For me, just be patient. Don’t commit to anything too early, because they do find the open guy.” The Krejci line got it done in game one. Two from
For the Bruins to win game two, they will need to make the most of their other three lines. In my opinion, this is Tyler Seguin‘s golden moment to shake off his sub-par season and his disappointing playoff performance. The best way to get Seguin up to speed is to put him back with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. Jaromir Jagr has great puck control and is outstanding on ice performer. That skill set should be used to improve the third line.
The Merlot Men did a good job in game one, and Coach Claude Julien should give them a few more shifts. Daniel Paille is very fast, and has done a great job on the PK. Shawn Thornton has done his job and hopefully can pick up a few minutes of ice time (and I really, REALLY want a Merlot Man goal in the Finals!). It will just come down to when they can best shift them out to make life as interesting for the Blackhawks.
I think Torey Krug probably kicked himself in the head mentally over that turnover. I don’t think he’ll repeat that mistake. The defense will do what its suppose to do. Collapse and make a layered defense that made it very hard for the Blackhawks to score on them. It will be another close and likely tough fight for both teams. The team that makes fewer mistakes will win game two. I just really hope it’s the Bruins.