My anger lies primarily with Game 7, and more specifically Brad Marchand. Sure we can refer to other games, but that's why it's a series.
Show up when it matters most, and no one remembers anything else. The Bruins don't win in 2011 without Tim Thomas' godlike performance, so his OT gaffe in Game 2 against Vancouver is inconsequential.
And do you think anyone in St. Louis is still upset over the hand-pass OT goal awarded to San Jose that
could've cost them the Conference Final?
The B's dominated the bulk of the first period. And while it wasn't ideal being down 1-0 on a somewhat fluky goal, as the period was winding down, I wasn't too concerned, nor were most in the GDT.
But in the blink of an eye, on a play that midget coaches would bag skate their players over, it's 2-0. The mood in the building instantly shifted to doom, both on the ice and off.
People on the main board mock so-called intangibles, but I never felt this B's squad had them. They had opportunities to seize control of the series, but consecutive strong performances for them was out of the question.
Rask, who I've always defended, played a game on June 12 like it was a game on November 12. Brian Boucher said after Game 6 even with a loss, Rask should win the Conn Smythe. He wasn't that bad in Game 7, but it's perplexing he couldn't seize the opportunity, forever cement his legacy, and silence his critics once and for all. But as it is, his legacy is the Flyers series in 2010, 17 seconds in 2013, and a Game 7 no-show in 2019.
And how do they go 1-3 at home in the Finals?
With league-wide parity, I don't believe they overachieved and everything after say rounds one or two was a bonus. The B's were the first recent Cup runner up to return to the Finals, and it took them 6 years to get there. The Rangers, Lightning, Sharks, Predators, all seemed to have so much hope; but none have made it back to the dance.
So it was a major wasted (not missed) opportunity.
I do think it will slightly tarnish the legacy of this core if they only manage one Cup; and without Tim Thomas, we may be talking about the Buffalo Bills of hockey.
OK, rant over.
