Sports Eye View : Left-Handed Larceny

Dy-Nasty
By Caleb Musselman

photo cred: www.bostonherald.com

It's not over til Chicago scores two in the final minute and a half. That just happened so now it's over. Whoa.

In quite possibly the most shocking 17 seconds in the history of the NHL, Chicago turned a sure Boston victory into an event that would have rivaled the quiet game played between 20,000 mice. Boston doesn't lose with a lead. They just don't. Well, they didn't until Monday.

I watched all 6 games of the NHL playoffs and plain and simple, I want more. While everyone hoped for a Penguins/Blackhawks final, Boston was readying itself for a cup run that would prove to be electric. However, Chicago, from start to finish in the shortened 2013 season, was always the team to beat.

Dominant Performances:
Patrice Bergeron

photo cred: www.barstoolsports.com

Patrice has been one of the best players on the Bruins for a few years now. However, in these playoffs, he
established himself as one of the best players in the league. A strong leader and dynamic talent both offensively and defensively, Bergeron scored 9 goals and contributed 6 assists to the Bruins finals run. At only 27 years of age, Bergeron will be a force in the league for many years to come.

Brian Bickell
Bickell scored 9 goals in all of the regular season. In the playoffs, he scored 9 goals and added 8 assists. Easily the best breakout performance of this year's playoffs, Bickell increased his trade stock immensely by proving to be an offensive threat for Chicago all throughout their cup run.

photo cred: checkingthescore.wordpress.com

Chicago's Back Line
Crawford got completely snubbed by the NHL by not receiving the Conn Smythe. Chicago's goaltending brought them through the season and all the way to the cup and Crawford was front and center for most of that. His 1.84 GAA throughout the playoffs proved enough even to oust the electric Tukka Rask for the Bruins. However, Crawford could not beat the Bruins single-handedly. Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Johnny Oduya, Niklas Hjalmarsson deserve to have their named etched into the cup twice. Known for their stellar offensive talent, Chicago's defense, matched with Crawford in net, proved to be too much for any team this season.

photo cred: www.chicagotribune.com

You all know I don't like recaps, so I tried to keep this short. If you didn't get a chance to watch any of the Finals, don't worry, they will be playing reruns for many years to come. Specifically, Game 4 and Game 6. Don't know what happened in those games? Call me and I'll let you know. For now all you need to know is that Duncan Keith's newborn baby rested in the mouth of the Cup at TD Garden on Monday night. Talk about a special day for Duncan.

When Chicago beat the Flyers in the finals in 2010 (sore subject), I said Kane and Toews were on the brink of creating a dynasty. Now they have a young goaltender who proved that he was up for the task (providing they don't ship him out like they did with Niemi). Chicago is so young and talented that they could easily win 3 or 4 more cups in the next 5-7 years. Thankfully, there should be enough parity in the league to even things out.

Who wins the cup next year? Penguins? Chicago? LA? St. Louis? The possibilities are endless. Now I just can't wait for November.