THE MATCHUP
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins
About the Blackhawks
Best regular-season record in the NHL at 36-7-5. Beat the Wild, Detroit and Los Angeles in the playoffs. Chicago, with coach Joel Quenneville, won the Stanley Cup in 2010.
About the Bruins
Fourth seed in the East at 28-14-6. Beat Toronto, the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh in the playoffs. Boston, under coach Claude Julien, won the Cup in 2011.
History
This is the first Cup Final featuring two of the Original Six NHL teams since 1979 — and the first Cup Final ever between the Blackhawks and Bruins. The teams did not meet during the regular season.
Chicago stars
Forwards Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp all have 14 playoff points. Captain Jonathan Toews is a Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) finalist. Defenseman Duncan Keith won the Norris Trophy (best defenseman) in 2010. Goalie Corey Crawford has a 1.74 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in the playoffs.
Boston standouts
Center David Krejci leads playoff scoring with 21 points. Patrice Bergeron is a Selke finalist. Brad Marchand (18 goals, 18 assists) was the team's top regular-season scorer. Captain and defenseman Zdeno Chara won the Norris in 2009. Goalie Tuukka Rask has a 1.75 goals-against average and .943 save percentage in the playoffs.
Michael Russo's prediction
Not many picked the Bruins before the playoffs. Not many will pick against them now. But we picked the Blackhawks before the playoffs and won't change. Blackhawks in 7.
