For many people in my generation, we are all familiar with the famous lyric from Blink-182, "nobody likes you when you're 23." And while I've only been 23 for a few short hours, I've already began to feel the anxiety, responsibility, and melancholy of becoming an adult as I sit here enjoying my iced coffee. So, today I have decided to live it up and really use the excuse "because it's my birthday" and enjoy myself while I can. I'm going to blast my 80's/90's playlist, enjoy the pool with a few of my friends, have dinner with my family, and let a few of the people I just graduated with spoil me tonight (at least I have something to celebrate today after that disappointing loss in Chicago last night).
While I didn't stick around the bar to see the last few minutes of the game, I can't say I'm not surprised by that last goal in the third by the Blackhawks defenceman, Johnny Oduya. For the 800th meeting between the two teams, there was no sign of rust from the Blackhawks; the Red Wings kept up at the start, but began to show their drowsiness toward the end of the game. Hopefully my boys get their rest in the next few days and us fans give them the spark that they need when the two teams meet again Saturday afternoon.
In other news, since I could care less about the Pittsburgh/Ottawa and LA/San Jose series right now, I've decided to break down the Bruins/Rangers series as I've grown to respect the Bruins program in the past few years. Heading into Boston tonight for the first game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, we can't forget how these two teams started their season. After the lockout back in January, the Bruins were victorious against the Rangers 3-1; that Rangers loss set the stage for what would be a long, frustrating season for New York. Hoping the Bruins aren't too tired from their unbelievable Game 7 comeback the other night, capitalizing on the first win in this series is crucial for the Rangers. The Bruins have always been a hard-hitting, no messing around team; the last time the two teams met in the playoffs, they had players Bobby Orr, Ken Hodge, Wayne Cashman and Phil Esposito up against Eddie Giacomin, Brad Park, Rod Gilbert, and Jean Ratelle. Needless to say, this improbable Original Six match up is one for the books with past rivalry animosity and fight-filled affairs. However in this series, both teams rely heavily on their defense and their goaltending; the Bruins have their size and strength, and the Rangers can block the shots. Now who are the big players in this series you ask? For Boston, Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins depend on Chara, the biggest boy in the NHL to dominate the blue line, and Bergeron who is perhaps one of the best defensive players and best faceoff man in the league. For New York, keep your eye on Derick Brassard, a pickup player from the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has proven that he has great offensive skills since being with the Rangers. Also, Ryan Callahan. He always is leaving everything on the ice, provides big hits, and can score key goals. And you can't forget Brian Boyle, just because I think he's a cutie patootie ;)
Overall, the Rangers and the Bruins are two very similar teams; they both tend to struggle on the power play, but are strong on the penalty kill. But, the Bruins are one of the most dangerous teams in the league and that is why I believe Boston will prevail over New York in 7. Go B's!
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