Stars aligning for Cup Finals, Canucks by The Sports Network

To win it all, peaking at the right time is essential and that’s what is happening out west with the Canucks, with the best example of that being the emergence of Henrik Sedin. After posting only eight points in 13 games against the Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators, many wondered whether the Swede that dominated the NHL with a league-leading 75 assists would show up in the playoffs.

Not only did he show up, he made it look easy against the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Final.

Henrik exploded with 12 points in five games, including four assists in the Canucks 4-2 Game 4 victory that put the Sharks on the ropes heading into Vancouver’s decisive Game 5 victory. The output was good enough to catapult the 30-year-old to the top of the post-season scoring leader board, a feat that seemed impossible two and a half weeks ago.

His twin brother Daniel is doing his part as well.

Instrumental in disposing of the Blackhawks, Daniel found the net five times in Round 1 before going cold against Nashville with only three points in six games. But the NHL’s regular season points leader found his scoring touch again against the Sharks, putting up six points in five games.

In years past, the fate of this team was squarely on the shoulders of the Sedins, but because of their tremendous depth they’ve been able to overcome stints of ineffectiveness from the twins and that’s the major reason they’ll go into the Finals as the favorites.

Ryan Kesler has not only played the role of shut-down defender to a tee, he’s scored at a superstar pace as well. Timely goals and heroic performances have defined his role this post-season while another key player named Alexandre Burrows has quietly notched 14 points of his own, including goals in three consecutive games to finish off the Sharks.

Now with the defense joining the scoring fold – Vancouver D-Men combined for eight goals against the Sharks – yet another offensive weapon has been added to their impressive arsenal, one that includes a tough-as-nails third line to back up the finesse scattered throughout the rest of the lineup.

This impressive display of depth is only further bolstered by the play of Luongo, who has been the key in this Stanley Cup run all along. Without his ability to bounce back after an emotionally taxing first round against the Blackhawks, in which his mettle was repeatedly questioned, the Canucks wouldn’t be four wins away from being World Champs.

After being yanked in two consecutive games before being benched in Game 6 against Chicago, Luongo has been superb. In fact, since his Game 6 benching, Luongo’s .932 save percentage is tops among any goaltender that has played more than seven games during the 2011 playoffs. Not to mention in his last performance against the Sharks he had his best outing to date, stopping 54 of 56 shots fired his way; yet another sign that these Canucks continue to build momentum towards the Finals.

Whether the Canucks face the Bruins or the Lightning will be decided on Friday night in Boston. If the Lightning emerge victorious, the Stanley Cup Finals will be rich in star power. Steven Stamkos, Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier, Simon Gagne and Sean Bergenheim (yes, Sean Bergenheim) will provide a good matchup for the Canucks top forwards. While tough guy turned scorer, Steve Downie, will help the Bolts neutralize Raffi Torres.

If the Bruins can get the job done, some Original Six flavor will be brought to the Finals along with a defensive core and goaltender capable of matching the Canucks solid back end. But whatever the case, the Canucks are clearly the better team in either scenario.

Vancouver has waited 17 long years to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals, and they finally have a team capable of winning it all. Now they just have to go out and do it.

Visit www.aasiwins.com for all your FREE NHL winners, news, articles, and updates.