Grande finale

This is it now! The two teams who've made it all the way to the finals are fighting for the ultimate prize in hockey, the Stanley Cup. I picked Vancouver to end up in the finals, but expected Boston to fall to Tampa Bay. They didn't, and after a very tight semifinal series, they deserve their place in the finals.

Vancouver got to the finals with a bit less effort, but still had to dig deep to beat San Jose in the semis.

Both teams are where they are with a great depth in the lineup. It all starts with tremendous goalies in Luongo and Thomas. Both fighting for the Vezina, Thomas taking it easily if Boston wins the cup, otherwise Luongo might have a chance. Tim Thomas has displayed a bunch of insane highlight reel saves in the playoffs too, just to back up his solid all round game between the pipes. Luongo has been fantastic, but maybe a little less spectacular behind a more dominant team.

Now the games are 2-2. Vancouver just edged Boston in the first two at home. Played maybe better than the results show, but still pretty evenly matched. The Bruins on the other hand simply crushed Vancouver in the next two in Boston. Have to say, that now it seems like there won't be a cup to show off in Canada this year either. Unless Vancouver really finds another gear back home, Boston is going to keep the momentum going and take this in six at home.

For the competition, I hope the Canucks will wake up and fight for the ultimate victory. That would really take this final series to the level it's supposed to be. Now there's been a bunch of bad blood spilled in the previous games and my gut tells me it isn't getting any sweeter from now on. So, total grind on and we'll see who has the deepest resources in the end of season.

Boston seems to fire on all cylinders, forwards are playing intense, scoring pretty and ugly, whatever it takes. Defence is solid as a rock, lead by Zdeno Chara's massive figure. Tim Thomas seems to have decided to not let anything past him. That's a tough combination to break for Vancouver.

The Canucks fell off the wagon on all aspects and really need to recover fast. Sedins need to find the spark and shake off the fact that Boston is really pressuring them. Ryan Kesler has to find that final reserve and really step up to take the playoff MVP role he was bound earlier on. Defence is great on paper but must find the attitude to match the nastiness of the Bruins. No more mr. nice guy. And Roberto Luongo really has to forget about thinking ahead about the possible hero or goat treatment he's going to have. He just needs to make the next stop and let the rest of the team worry about the rest.

It's still tough to pick who wins this all. Boston has the upper hand now, but the long trip over to Vancouver might make them lose the best edge. However, if they take game 5 in Vancouver, the cup will not leave Boston anymore this season.

No matter what, It's been a great season and will have a fresh new champion in the end too. I'm happy to be a hockey fan.