2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket

The 2011 Stanley Cup Finals: A Recap

The Road to the Finals

The 2011 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2010–11 season and the culmination of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins defeated the Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks in seven games to win their first Stanley Cup since 1972.

The Bruins' Path to the Finals

The Bruins finished the regular season with a record of 46–25–11, good for third place in the Northeast Division. They defeated the Montreal Canadiens in seven games in the first round of the playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers in four games in the second round, and the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Canucks' Path to the Finals

The Canucks finished the regular season with a record of 54–19–9, good for first place in the Northwest Division. They defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in four games in the first round of the playoffs, the Nashville Predators in six games in the second round, and the San Jose Sharks in five games in the Western Conference Finals.

The Finals

The Finals began on June 1, 2011, in Vancouver. The Canucks won the first game in overtime, but the Bruins won the next two games in Boston. The Canucks won Game 4 in overtime to tie the series, but the Bruins won the next two games to win the Stanley Cup.

The Bruins' Victory

The Bruins' victory was their first Stanley Cup championship since 1972. It was also their sixth Stanley Cup championship overall, tying them with the Chicago Blackhawks for fourth all-time. The Bruins' victory was a major upset, as the Canucks were heavily favored to win the series. The Bruins were able to win the series by playing a physical, defensive style of hockey. They also benefited from strong goaltending from Tim Thomas, who was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoffs' most valuable player.