I doth declare, Lord Stanley's Cup runneth over!

Tonight is the final game of a thrilling Stanley Cup playoffs. I would argue, however, that this series has been entertainingly predictable: Vancouver wins a tough, hard-fought game at home by 1 goal, Boston blows out Vancouver in Beantown. I can't even imagine how panicked Vancouver fans are right now. Boston has been backed by the best (and, by default, most consistent) goalie in the league, while Roberto Luongo's confidence has to be shattered after 3 embarassing meltdowns on the road. Then again who wouldn't be creeped out by 6'9" Zdeno Chara's bearded visage.

I've seen the other side...

For more keys to victory and prognosticatory plop, click to read more.

Vancouver's key to victory: Ryan Kesler

As Kesler goes, so go the Canucks. This was plainly evident in the Nashville series when the Canucks faced off against another elite goalie in Pekka Rinne. Kesler scored 11 points in the 6 game series and seemed to always be critical toward the end of games, including defensively. Against Boston he has nearly disappeared, with just 1 point in the Game 1 win and a -4 rating.

In the mech that is the Canucks, Daniel Sedin is the hands, Henrik Sedin the mind, and I'd argue that Kesler is the heart of the team. And when a team doesn't show up with heart, well, you're about as done as a coal dropped in lava and torched by Roy Mustang.

Boston's key to victory: David Krejci

This was a tough call as Boston doesn't win by getting overwhelming production from any one player. Brad Marchand has points in all of Boston's win but none in its losses, so you could argue it's him. Same goes for Michael Ryder, but c'mon, it's Michael Ryder. Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic are also important players.

Krejci though is the great facilitator on this team. When he is involved and gets meaningful touches on the ice, that's when Boston is at its best. He leads the team in points scored for the playoffs and just needs to continue being that pivot around the goal area to put the Canucks on their heels. Given his slight frame, I imagine the Canucks will try to take him out of his game by being physical, in which case the other Bruins bruisers will have to have his back.

Prediction:

Bruins 4, Canucks 2

I have a hard time believing that the Canucks are the better team given the goal differential in this series. Boston is a fantastic 5-on-5 team that can get scoring from a variety of players, while the Canucks offense has been stonewalled by Tim Thomas on a regular basis. I think it's time for the Bruins to make like Charlie Bucket and break through that glass ceiling at the end, winning on the road and hoisting their first Cup since 1972.