Bruins-Canucks Game 3 Rewind: Thomas Deserves Conn Smythe

By Tanya Ray Fox in Bruins, Featured ⋅ June 7, 2011 at 12:07pm ⋅ Post a comment

Tim Thomas, Henrik Sedin (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Here’s some additional thoughts on Monday night’s 8-1 win for the Bruins in Game 3.

Thomas For MVP?

Tim Thomas finished Game 3 with 40 saves on 41 shots, with Vancouver edging Boston for shots on goal 41-38. He seems to only get better as the pressure has built, and I tweeted last night that if the Bruins should lose the Stanley Cup Finals, I believe that Thomas should still be awarded the title of MVP for this series. He has the best player on the ice through the first three games, without question. See: Chuck Howley in the 1971 Super Bowl, or Jerry West in the 1969 NBA Finals.

NHL And Head Hits

As I was finishing this article, it was confirmed that Nathan Horton has a severe concussion and will miss the rest of the Stanley Cup Finals. Play close attention to how the league handles this situation and the disciplanry action that comes down, because this will surely become a benchmark example of the dangerous hits that can cost players their careers and livelihood.

Bruins Still Have A Chance

The score speaks for itself, but if you watched the game you saw a Bruins team that skated faster and hit harder than perhaps they ever have. They looked like the team that was favored. They looked like the team with more talent and more in their legs. They certainly imposed their will on the Canucks in a way that no one has this entire season. The series is far from over, and the Bruins still need another win at home to keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive. But, it looks as though someone poked the literal and proverbial bear, and sometimes that’s all it takes.

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, eh?

For Bruins fans’ viewing pleasure – here’s video of Milan Lucic punching Alexandre Burrows and then nearly successfully inserting his fingers into Burrows’ mouth:

About Tanya Ray Fox - My Twitter

I am 24 years old, and I work on the sports desk for the premier Boston sports station, Comcast SportsNet New England. My first and lasting love is with the New England Patriots, and then I split my allegiances between the Sox, Celtics and Bruins. I have grown up here and have a passion for all things Boston sports, not just because it is an amazing sports town, but because as a writer we are blessed to always have something to talk about!

Tags: Bruins, Conn Smythe Trophy, Stanley Cup, Tim Thomas, Vancouver Canucks