Pucks of a Feather
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Pucks of a Feather Round Table: Predictions for the Stanley Cup Finals

By Ciara Durant

BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Boston Bruins players skate around the Stanley Cup logo on the ice during warmups before a scrimmage ahead of the start of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at TD Garden in Boston on May 23, 2019. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 23: Boston Bruins players skate around the Stanley Cup logo on the ice during warmups before a scrimmage ahead of the start of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at TD Garden in Boston on May 23, 2019. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 23: Two fans get a close view of the game and the Boston Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk at ice level in the second period of a scrimmage ahead of the start of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at TD Garden in Boston on May 23, 2019. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 23: Two fans get a close view of the game and the Boston Bruins’ Jake DeBrusk at ice level in the second period of a scrimmage ahead of the start of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at TD Garden in Boston on May 23, 2019. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Alan Negrete— Boston Bruins in 6

This is it. It all comes down to the two teams who gave it their all the entirety of the season, or in the Blues case, half of the season. Either way, it’s no coincidence that these two teams got where they are now without the skill, speed, and sheer determination. Now, the big questions come up with Tarasenko and Pasternak heating up. Who can keep the fire scorching longer? WillRask or Binnington start looking nervous or keep playing on their heads?

The Blues have names like Schwartz and Ryan O’Reilly leading the Blues offensively, with 16 and 14 points respectively. They also get offensive production from the blueline from Alex Pietrangelo and Colton Parayko with 13 and 11 points in the postseason. Ever since the start of the Blues-Sharks series, Taresanko has been starting to heat up, with 3 goals and 5 assists, the right-winger has shown no signs of slowing down.

The Bruins outscored the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals 17-5. Outscoring your opposition by scoring 17 goals in 4 games in a daunting task, especially in the playoffs. The Bruins have offensive dangers such as Marchand and Pastrnak leading Boston with 18 and 15 points respectively. They haven’t had as much of a boost from their blueline as St. Louis, instead, the forward do the offensive work with at least 6 forwards in the double digits. Pastrnak has begun to heat up, but there are dangers in staying hot.

Both the Bruins and the Blues goaltenders have been nothing short of spectacular. Rask has faced 549 shots against him and only 32 have slipped past him, giving him a save percentage of .942, which includes two shutouts. Binnington has been a miracle on ice for the Blues, facing 537 shots against and letting in 46 goals. That gives him a save percentage of .914%, including one shutout, which is very impressive for the rookie.

Both teams have been exceptional this postseason. This is a matchup of the ages, or 49 years to be more specific. Either way, this will be a very close series with scoring opportunities everywhere. It is going to be a physical matchup. With that all being said and done, I will have to predict that the Bruins take it in 6 games. Binnington will be spectacular, but his time will most likely be up when the final games start. Pressure will overcome the Blues and nerves will get the best of them.

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