The Stanley Cup playoffs are set to begin on Wednesday night as the Boston Bruins head to the United Center to take on the Blackhawks in Chicago and after an exciting postseason it's down to two teams and they have some history together as Original Six franchises.
The series will be a tough one between two former champions, the Blackhawks from 2010 and the Bruins from 2011 and it is the first time they are meeting in a final and the first time since 1979 that two Original Six teams are meeting for the championship. Both teams faced tough tests in the playoffs, as the Bruins were down 4-1 and 4-2 at points in the third period against the Maple Leafs in Game 7 before scoring two goals in under 90 seconds and winning in overtime.
The Blackhawks were on the brink of elimination at 3-1 against the Red Wings, but they reeled off three straight wins and they now have won seven of nine, while the Bruins have won nine of 10 heading into the finals. The two teams are evenly matched and the goaltenders are playing very well, as Corey Crawford has been excellent for Chicago and Tuukka Rask is bringing the best save percentage of the postseason to the finals as he kept the Penguins to just two goals in Boston's series sweep.
Chicago has speed on both ends of the ice and Boston has some size to deal with it, but it will be a challenge to hold back players like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell has also been playing very well. The team dispatched the Kings in five games and now the defending champions are home and the Blackhawks are through and have home ice as the number one seed in the West. The Bruins were fourth and defeated the number one seed in the Penguins and now Game 1 will be on Wednesday and one team will have a 1-0 lead when it's all said and done.
Full schedule for the series with games on NBC and the NBC Sports Network.
Game 1: Wednesday, June 12, at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, June 15, at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Game 3: Monday, June 17, at Boston, 8 p.m.
Game 4: Wednesday, June 19, at Boston, 8 p.m.
Game 5: Saturday, June 22, at Chicago, 8 p.m. (If necessary)
Game 6: Monday, June 24, at Boston, 8 p.m. (If necessary)
Game 7: Wednesday, June 26, at Chicago, 8 p.m. (If necessary)
