The ending to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals could not have been scripted any better. The Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins battled through three overtimes until Andrew Shaw, of all players, skated in front of the goal and deflected Dave Bolland‘s tip into the net for the game-winner.
Chicago’s 4-3 win over Boston was the fifth-longest game in Finals history, and we have a lot more hockey left to be played, so fans attending the games in this series will get their money’s worth. In other words, this won’t be a short series.
The Bruins are certainly capable of stealing Game 2 before the series shifts to Boston — they did have a 2-0 lead in the second period, but every break went Chicago’s way and the Hawks continued their incredible run.
But will the Blackhawks’ luck (or whatever it is that’s driving them) run out? The Bruins manhandled the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Conference Finals while the Hawks did pretty much the same to the defending champs, but that was after Chicago had to dig out of a 3-1 hole against the Detroit Red Wings in the Conference Semis. Said one unnamed Red Wings fan after Game 1 of the Finals on Wednesday night:
“The Blackhawks must have a deal with the devil or something. They better because otherwise this luck is going to run out sooner or later.”
Now things get interesting heading into Game 2, so be cautious before making your pick.
