That was the last time the Boston Bruins were in the conference finals. I was too young to remember or care, but it's exciting now.
1972 was even longer ago. That was the last time the Black and Gold won the coveted Stanley Cup, as champions of the National Hockey League.
This is my fist post about the Bruins since the season started. I said back then that the B's had a lot to prove, that there would be high expectations, and failing to live up to those expectations could and should lead to people (coaches, general managers, captains, goaltenders, etc.) losing their jobs with the organization.
I was hesitant to post anything more during the roller coaster that is the regular season. There were times when I thought Coach Julien deserved credit for the team's stingy defense; and there were times that I thought he should have been fired for, as team president Cam Neely eloquently put "trying to win games 0-0."
The team looked impressive against teams like Chicago and Vancouver, but looked like a high school team in their two games against Detroit. They had some exciting games against Montreal and Philadelphia, which would set the stage for the early playoff rounds.
As the Bruins prepare for their first conference finals in 19 years, it is important not to be content with this level of achievement. They have a series against the Tampa Bay Lightening which they are capable of winning, and anything can happen in the Stanley Cup Finals. While we wait for Game 1 on Saturday, let's take a look at the highlights of the Bruins' season thus far.
Tim Thomas. Timmy is back. After an injury-plagued '09-'10 campaign, The former Vezina Trophy winner showed why he was once the league's best goalie. At the age of 37, he had a career year and has performed well in the playoffs so far as well. This season may not have been Tuukka time, but he will get his chance someday, too.
Marchand Emerges. Brad Marchand had a terrific rookie season. The little agitator that could never seems to give up on the puck, and is always giving it his best effort when he is on the ice. He was certainly a pleasant surprise.
Strart, Wheeler, Hunwick, and Sturm Out, Kelly, Peverley, and Kaberle In. The Bruins made some big trades this year with Chris Kelly, Rich Peverley, and Tomas Kaberle donning the Black and Gold sweaters for the first time this season. Although Kaberle has not performed the way he was expected to, Kelly and Peverley have exceeded expectations and have produced in the playoffs. It was sad to see Mark Stuart get traded to Atlanta. I liked his toughness and his work ethic, but the Bruins needed to do something to bolster their offense.
What a Difference a Year Makes. This time a year ago, the Bruins were known as the team that could not win a Game 7 on their own ice, and could not close out a series with a 3-0 lead. This season they have done both already. They Beat the Habs in a thrilling Game 7 and then swiftly swept the same Philadelphia team that rallied back from three games down last year. They have been playing with more intensity and more confidence this playoff tournament and the collapse of last season is in the rear view mirror to stay.
Whatever the rest of the playoffs bring is still to be determined, but it has been an exciting ride through two rounds. Tampa will not be an easy team to beat. They have some really talented players and, like the Bruins, a veteran netminder who has been playing out of his mind so far this postseason. After that, Detroit, Vancouver, and San Jose, the remaining teams in the Western Conference, are no easy out either. There is still a lot of hockey to be played before the Boys of Winter hang up the skates to go golfing, but it would be really exciting if Lord Stanley were to pay his first visit to Beantown since Richard Nixon was president.
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