St. Louis Will Win On Wednesday

It hasn't been easy seeing a team that is playing in a Stanley Cup Final that was below the Vancouver Canucks in the standings in early January. What feels worse is that this years Stanley Cup Final has a few similarities to the 2011 Final.

I don't have any magic potion that will create the result I want. If I did, I would be sports betting for a living. Wednesday will be the first Game 7 since 2011 for the Cup Finals.

The last 6 Game 7's of the SCF have followed a similar pattern. Less than five goals in the game and the first team that scores, will also score the second goal. I'm not getting into it tonight why the Canucks didn't win in 2011. I'm ready to move on.

It's a win-win situation for Vancouver tomorrow. Either we witness Boston lose a Game 7 on home ice or we see St. Louis have the same heart-break we endured. I'm happy either way but I am cheering for Boston tomorrow night.

I wouldn't be surprised if St. Louis won though. They have won a lot on the road this post season and away teams have fared quite well in Championship Game seven's since 2009 in every sport in North America that offers a Game 7. Home teams are only 3-4 in those seven games in the last decade with the three home victories being super close.

I want this Stanley Cup run by St. Louis to inspire NHL GM's that all 31 teams have a chance to win the Cup next year but I don't think it will. The new lottery format has helped but tanking still hasn't been eliminated.

Nevertheless, the last six months has made me thankful that I care about sports from multiple angels and that is what has me excited for the Canucks next year and beyond.