Stanley Cup Finals: Caniac’s Rooting Guide between Blues and Bruins
The NHL Stanley Cup Finals are upon us. But who should the Caniacs root for? Here is the guide that all Caniacs can use to determine if you root for the Blues or the Bruins.
Blues. Bruins. The last time these two teams met in the Stanley Cup Finals the year was 1970 and Bobby Orr took flight. Here we are almost half a century later and the Stanley Cup Finals have come back down to these two storied franchises. While the Carolina Hurricanes were only four wins shy of being the team to take on the Blues, here is who you should cheer on as a Caniac.
In one end of the ice, an original six team that last won the cup in 2011. Featuring one of the most respectable players in the sport. On the other end a 60s expansion franchise seeking its first Stanley Cup win ever. Featuring a rookie netminder that seems to be unstoppable since he entered the league halfway through the season and revived the Blues’ season.
The Stanley Cup Finals are probably the best most exciting series of games in sports History. No chances for flukes. High speed of action. And the largest team sports trophy in the world. No matter who you end up rooting for, there will always be a wonderful story and great takeaways from the series.
literally never gets old pic.twitter.com/Y512ToO38e
— The Stanley Cup (@StanleyCup) May 24, 2019
So here is why you should root on each of these two teams as a Carolina Hurricanes Fan starting with an Original six team, the Bruins:
Why to root for the Bruins
There are many Caniacs who are still a bit upset with how the Bruins swept the Carolina Hurricanes easily and how their fans acted in our house. But let’s put all that aside. Lets approach the Bruins in a vacuum as they take on the Blues in the Stanley Cup Finals.
There are many good reasons to root on the Bruins as a Canes fan. Good players (Brad Marchand nonwithholding). Respectable history. And a city that never gives up on their sports teams no matter how bad it gets.
There is probably no more respected current player in the NHL than 42 year old Zdeno Chara. The 21 year veteran of the NHL had earned the respect of almost every players, coach, and fan in the league. Even as his production has faltered in the last few seasons as he got older, the former Norris Trophy winner and Captain of the Bruins has always led his team with his heart:
https://twitter.com/JoeGiza/status/1130551315027955712
But great veteran leadership isn’t the only thing the Bruins have in common with the Carolina Hurricanes. Having fun is another great commanility and it starts with Jake DeBrusk, who is not above having a bit of fun in even the the most serious of moments. That includes Stanley Cup finals photoshoots:
Jake DeBrusk: legend pic.twitter.com/YlCGPbGEZd
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) May 26, 2019
If these two great players aren’t enough to convince you that you should root for the Bruins perhaps this thought would. If the Bruins are Stanley Cup Champions it would mean that the Carolina Hurricanes were only defeated by the team that would be the Champions of the 2018-2019 Champions. Meaning that they were really just a single team away from the cup.
Whatever that statement is worth. On to the Blues.
Why to root for the Blues
St.Louis. Gateway to the west. Home of the Blues. And Contenders in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Bruins. There are many Caniacs that will root for this team for the sole purpose that they want some vengeance against the Bruins for how they beat the Carolina Hurricanes in the Conference Finals.
There is nothing wrong with that. In fact that would be our top reasoning for wanting the expansion team to win its first ever Stanley Cup. But there are even more great reasons for wanting the Blues to take the Bruins to town and send a message to Boston that they are NOT entitled to each and every Sports Trophy.
But there is a more deeper, more meaningful reason to root on the Blues as they take on the Bruins tonight. Meet Laila Anderson, an 11 year old Blues superfan who has been battling a rare disease called HLH, a systemic inflammatory syndrome. After a meet and greet while she was in the Hospital the team has somewhat adopted her and play with her in mind:
Blues superfan Laila Anderson has been battling a life-threatening immune disease.
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 22, 2019
After the Blues advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, this happened ❤️
(via @youngpageviews)pic.twitter.com/WtLezJo7nV
If your heart doesn’t immediately melt after watching this, I have no words for you. For those looking for a reason to root on the Blues this week, this should be more than enough. If it is not, perhaps the fact that just like the Carolina Hurricanes, they were about down and out for the count late in 2018 at the very bottom of the league.
One Jordan Binnington later and now the team is only four wins away from lifting the Stanley Cup. While it would have been an amazing story to see both the Blues and The Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals, having both been revived from the dead in 2019, Caniacs can sure appreciate how the Blue’s Fanbase struck by this team through thick and thin.
Now the Cup is within their grasp. It would be the first ever in Blues History. These Stanley Cup Finals are the first since 1970 when they were matched up against the same Boston Bruins. Perhaps history will not repeat itself.
dark. Next. Checkers going to the Calder Cup Finals
Who are you Rooting for in the greatest series for the greatest sports trophy ever?