Last Season's Stanley Cup Finalists off to rough starts

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

The Bruins and Canucks wouldn't give up what they experienced last season for anything.

The Bruins won the Stanley Cup, surviving three Game 7s, and enjoyed a summer of memories never to be forgotten. The Canucks endured rough patches in the playoffs, overcame them, then fell one game short of winning the Cup.

But that's the past. And predictably, after a short summer, both teams are facing early-season struggles.The Bruins are 3-5-0, in 13th in the East, have 19 goals and are 2-4 at home.

"We all needed to wake up and start playing the way we can before it was too late," Bruins forward Nathan Horton told the Boston Herald. "(Consistency) is real important. When you start working hard that's when things go your way."

Bruins coach Claude Julien talked about his team's mental state of mind last week.

"We just seem to have good days and then average days," he said. "We can't afford to do that. If you can sharpen yourselves up in practice then it translates over into the game. The biggest challenge right now is being able to sustain our focus."

The Canucks, meanwhile, are 4-4-1, in ninth in the West, and goaltender Roberto Luongo is bearing the brunt of the abuse from fans. Luongo struggled during the playoffs and has had issues to start the season (2-3-1, 3.46 goals-against average, .868 save percentage).

"I mean, they're (fans) not happy with my play and I'm not happy with my play," he told the Vancouver Province. "I guess they're entitled. … I have to pick up my game and make some saves."

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I don't know what they expect from Luongo. He's only making $6.7 million this year. He's not going to perform at the level of the $10 million goalie he was last season, especially in the playoffs.

[P. Marlowe 748]

No Canadian team has won the Cup in 18 years. I wonder how much of this is because of the crazy pressure the fans and media put on their teams. Toronto I think is the most hockey zealous place and the team hasn't even made the finals since 1967.

[pazzloski 7]

No Canadian team has won the Cup in 18 years. I wonder how much of this is because of the crazy pressure the fans and media put on their teams. Toronto I think is the most hockey zealous place and the team hasn't even made the finals since 1967.

Its amazing how hockey crazy we are in canada, recently on a hockey talk show in montreal they had a surgeon on describing Markovs' knee. Complete with 3d models and all.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Its amazing how hockey crazy we are in canada, recently on a hockey talk show in montreal they had a surgeon on describing Markovs' knee. Complete with 3d models and all.

As far as I'm concerned, that is everything that is right in this world!

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Luongo sure hasn't been very smart with what he's been saying to the media during his years in Vancouver. Still can't get over his "Well I only let in 5 instead of 7 so I improved" comment in 2010.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Luongo must either:

A) Change his name or

B) Start playing better in goal.

If neither A) or B) is possible soon, Vancouver must trade him.

[Ram 240]

To be fair, I think the Blues have a good, young squad that has some promise, they've been trying to get over the hump the past few years. (Relating to Nucks' loss from last night.)

[greenrebellion 415]

CBJ should trade for luongo

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

I love how Mike Gillis said on interview or article on TSN like a week ago how he "likes" his team and that they aren't going to make any trades anytime soon. Then BOOM the Booth trade. lol. Hmmm wondering if he wasn't really liking his team after all. Didn't see much from Booth last night watching a pretty boring snoozefest vs St. Louis.