| 06 June 2011
You know what they say about specialty teams- they're special. And typically, the team that can produce on them ends up with the better chance of winning. While this statement hasn't held true for the Bruins these playoffs (see the power play failures and penalty kill breakdowns), it has been a stepping stone for the Vancouver Canucks to use in vaulting into the finals.
Going into Game 3, a lot was made of the Bruin's inability to get their power play going while a small note was given to the Canucks only having converted once while having a number of 2 minute drills run afoul in the neutral zone and their own end. In game 3 though we have seen the shift in execution on these units though and while it's been a surprise to most, none can look past the impact of it.
The hit on Horton gave the Bruins a 5 minute power play warm up in the first that unfortunately for them did not lead to a conversion, what it did do though was provide them with a number of quality chances that kept Luongo moving just to keep the score even. At the other end of the ice, the Canuck's power play would look bad- but not as bad as it would get for them.
The second period is where things would erupt. After the goal 11 seconds in the Bruin's 1st power play attempt of the period would pay off. The puck movement they showcased in the first continued and play off the half boards resulted in Vancouver overplaying the puck opening a pass across the slot from Ryder to Recchi to put home while Peverley crashed the crease. And with the goal came more momentum for Boston.
The value of a successful powerplay cannot be measured in goals alone. The success gives the team a sense of pride in their work, a feeling that they are in control and pushes them to lean on their opponents looking for more cracks in the armor. This is exactly what Boston would do through the remainder of the period as David Krejci would add a 3rd goal to the lead before Vancouver would get a series of powerplays.
With the momentum against them, the Vancouver Canucks continued to struggle on the special teams in the second. Their 1st power play attempt after a call on Andrew Ference would be stymied consistently with the strong forechecking of Daniel Paille and Gregory Campbell tying the puck movers up at their end of the ice. Credit has to be given to these two- while their minutes have been limited this series, both have always given 110% on the ice and have looked to contribute in whatever way they can. On these penalty kills the two struck hard with big hits, forced turn overs and shots on Luongo.
The effort would continue over on Vancouver's next chance on a Lucic penalty with Paille and Campbell again acting as foilers. Their play though would be one upped this time though as Brad Marchand would force a turn over and come in one on one against Luongo cutting across the net to put one upstairs for the Bruin's fourth of the period.
This period has ended with the Bruins still on the penalty kill after a high stick by Johnny Boychuk (a double minor). With almost 2 and a half minutes killed though, the Bruins have continued to be strong with their special team efforts.
The question that many will ask now is, can they maintain this advantage or will the Vancouver Canucks be able to adapt and find a way to get second chances or their first ones past the enigma that is Tim Thomas. In no way has either team solved their specialty team issues (other than possible the Bruins on the penalty kill), but if this swing continues through the 3rd and game 4, we could likely see a tied series heading back to Vancouver. A result that may lead to many questioning how much of a favorite the Canucks are and how things may swing in what would be a best of 3 series.
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