Boston College Hockey 2017 Stanley Cup Round 3 Preview

We’re down to 4 teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Bruins and the Rangers, the two teams favored by most BC fans, are no longer in contention for the Cup. So who should you root for as a BC fan?

Eastern Conference Finals

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators

Root For: Pittsburgh

Rooting for last year’s Stanley Cup Champions to win the Prince of Wales Trophy isn’t the most fun for non-Penguins fans, but it is the best option for BC fans. There is an Eagle on both teams, but only one is actually playing. Brian Dumoulin plays for the Penguins and has seen a lot of ice time in the playoffs. Colin White is on the Senators’ roster, but has been scratched for the playoffs.

Rooting for the Penguins means you are more likely to see a former Eagles on the ice in the Stanley Cup Finals. It also means you are not rooting for the team that isn’t giving Colin White the ice time he deserves. So it’s a win/win.

Western Conference Finals

Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators

Root For: Anaheim

There is only one former Eagle competing for the Campbell Bowl this season, so this is an easy match-up for BC fans. Patrick Eaves, who has never won a Stanley Cup, is having the best year of his career. He plays for the Ducks, so BC fans should root for the Ducks. Eaves missed a few games in Round 2 due to injury, but has played in the majority of Anaheim’s playoff games this season. It is likely that he will return to the lineup sometime during the Ducks/Preds series.

(Disclaimer: I am actually rooting for the Preds to win the Cup because they’ve never won and it would be the most fun. I feel like a very bad BC hockey fan because of this. I would really, really love to see Eaves win the Cup, but as a Flames fan I find it hard to root for the Ducks...)

Minor League Championships Update

AHL

The Hershey Bears and Providence Bruins are playing each other in the 2nd Round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Paul Carey plays for the Bears, and both Tommy Cross and Ryan Fitzgerald are on the PBruins. BC fans should root for Providence because 2 Eagles are better than 1, but either outcome is a success for BC hockey alumni.

The Chicago Wolves are also still in contention for the Cup (playing the Grand Rapids Griffins). Following the Blues’ elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Zach Sanford was sent to Chicago, so BC fans want a Chicago victory.

ECHL

The Manchester Monarchs and South Carolina Stingrays are facing off in the Eastern Conference Finals of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Former BC captain plays for Manchester, and Parker Milner is South Carolina’s starting goaltender. Either team advancing to the finals ensures an Eagle will have a chance at winning the trophy.