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Who do you want to see win a Stanley Cup? |
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From Ray Bourque, to Alex Ovechkin, each Stanley Cup Final features players that you really want to see win a Stanley Cup.
Maybe it’s a player who’s been in the league for 10 plus years and is finally getting that chance.
Maybe it’s a young goalie who has been a key factor in a late season turnaround like we’ve never seen before.
Or maybe it’s a certain captain who has won a Stanley Cup in the past, but another would be the icing on the cake of what should be a Hall of Fame career.
Here are the top five players I would like to see win a Stanley Cup between the Bruins and Blues.
David Backes
This is probably the popular answer here among Bruins and Blues fans. For the first time in his 13-year career, Backes gets the chance to play for a Stanley Cup. After spending 10 years with the Blues, this matchup is bittersweet for Backes.
Of rostered Bruins expected to play in the Stanley Cup Final, no Bruin has been in the league longer, and not played in a Stanley Cup Final prior to this season.
If the Bruins are able to capture their second Stanley Cup in nine seasons, Backes is a good bet for getting the first touch of the cup after captain Zdeno Chara is awarded the best prize is sports.
Zdeno Chara
Speaking of the Bruins captain, Chara certainly deserves another Stanley Cup. I think one more stroll with Lord Stanley would solidify what should be a Hall of Fame career.
Of active players in the National Hockey League, only Matt Cullen is older than the 42-year old Chara by about four months. Cullen has hinted towards retirement which would make Chara—who is already signed for next season—the oldest active NHL player when the 2019-20 season rolls around.
In a city where 40-plus year old athletes winning championships is a thing, Chara hopes to become one himself when this is all set and done.
Tuukka Rask
Yes, Tuukka Rask’s name is already etched into the Stanley Cup, but Rask was the backup to Tim Thomas and his magical run in 2011. Winning one as the starter would be a much better feeling for Rask.
With how well Rask has played in these playoffs, carrying the Bruins into the Stanley Cup Final, seeing Rask finish what has been a phenomenal postseason with a Stanley Cup victory would be special.
Winning a Stanley Cup would also quiet the crowd that tells you Rask can’t make the big save, or Rask can't win a big game. With a championship under his belt as the starter, Rask would hold that trump card over all his haters.
Sound familiar?
Jordan Binnington
I can hear sports radio in Boston now if Binnington and the Blues beat the Bruins and bring the Stanley Cup to St. Louis for the first time.
Phone lines would be flooded with angry Bruins fans trying to figure out why the Bruins did not keep Binnington and they should have let Rask go instead.
Obviously, these are the Rask hating individuals mentioned above, and ones who won’t realize Binnington was loaned to the Providence Bruins as the Blues figured out their AHL affiliate situation.
As the Blues sat in the basement of the NHL in early January, Binnington came into the picture and helped the Blues turn their season around, ultimately landing in the Stanley Cup Final. A series victory over the Bruins would be a fairytale ending to what has been an amazing story of perseverance by both Binnington and the Blues.
Jay Bouwmeester
After 16 seasons in the NHL, Bouwmeester is finally heading to a Stanley Cup Final. Bouwmeester is a guy who I have always respected in the league.
Bouwmeester has played in 1252 career games, including 737 consecutive games between March of 2004 and November of 2014, the ninth longest streak in league history.
In his 16 seasons, Bouwmeester has played for the Panthers, Flames and Blues. Only six times Bouwmeester has played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, all of those coming with the Blues.
Boston Bruins Blogger • 
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