What to Look For in Tonight's game 7; Official Preview

About an hour ago, there was about 47 people in line to a liquor store somewhere in downtown Vancouver. Need I say more?

For Vancouver, they want the cup pretty badly. The team has never won it in 40 years of existence so it means a lot to the whole Province and city. This was the scene in downtown Vancouver for GAME 6 that was in Boston.

Plus Rogers Arena was sold out also for people watching the game in their. So needless to say, they'll be the same scenes for tonights game.

In terms of price for tickets, this one is historical. Yesterday, the AVERAGE price for a ticket on StubHub to the game was over $3,000. (Game 1 was $833, game 2 was $976, and game 5 was $1,219). Apparently there were still tickets available this morning ranging from $1,600 to $13,589. Someone reportedly bought two tickets in the lower level for about $7,000 each. That's some serious dedication. Those fans though are among the best in the game and we should be in store for a great one tonight regardless of who wins.

I mentioned before about that line for the liquor store today and I wanted to point out something. Last year, when the Montreal Canadiens were on their playoff run, after they beat the Penguins in game 7 of the second round, their fans rioted in the streets, robbed stores, and were just generally drunk like hell.

So don't be surprised if something like this happens regardless if the Canucks win or lose. Because I believe they rioted in 1994 in Vancouver after they lost game 7 to the New York Rangers. It's a great time to be in Vancouver but at the same time, probably not.
Edit: @darrenrovell reported that an American Apparel Store in Vancouver was boarded up in case of rioting:

Now for the actual game.

There are many story lines behind this matchup.

-Thomas has to improve his style and make sure he stays aggressive but at the same time, not over-aggressive.

-Luongo has to figure out the Bruins and NOT play as bad as he did at times this series. Game 7 is not the time to continue a slump.

-The Sedins kind of woke up in game 6 but the Canucks will undoubtedly need more from them.

-Going into this series, the Bruins had a terrible powerplay. This series the Bruins went 5/26 on the man advantage and the Canucks went 2/31. The Canucks have to crack down on both sides of special teams tonight.

-How will the Canucks play without second line offenseman Mason Raymond who of course is out of the lineup tonight? Jeff Tambellini is in his spot and I'm not sure what line he'll play on but I'm certain Alain Vigneualt will shuffle the lines a bit.

-The home team has won every game so far this series. The Bruins have to focus on winning tonight and blocking out the crowd. This will be an emotional test for both teams.

-Ryan Kesler hasn't been himself for this series. It was reported multiple times that his shoulder has been bothering him after a hit early in game 1. And it shows. He's not as hard on the forecheck and it's affected him and his team's game. If he can reach deep down inside him and play 1 more game normally, that would be good for the Canucks.

-Milan Lucic is from Vancouver. Keep an eye on him tonight.

-After game 6 against Tampa Bay, Nathan Horton should have been suspended for spraying a fan with a water bottle. He wasn't. He scored the game winning goal in game 7. After game 1 against Boston, Alex Burrows should have been suspended for biting an opposing player. He wasn't. He scored the game winning goal in game 2. After game 6 against Vancouver, Johnny Boychuk should have been suspended for a brutal hit on an opposing player. He wasn't. WILL HE SCORE IN GAME 7??!!??!!

-So I talked about the Conn Smythe possibilities here. So what's changed since game 6? Pretty much that it's down to Tim Thomas or...Really only Tim Thomas. He's played great throughout the playoffs and he will probably win the Conn Smythe for playoff MVP. If Bieksa scores tonight, his chances improve but everyone else on either team were too inconsistent to be given the trophy.

-Commissioner Gary Bettman will get booed tonight. Regardless of who wins. He will get booed. It will be funny as hell. As always. Check out these vids of him getting booed. With that in mind, enjoy these videos:

-Last thing. I mentioned it already but read this post: http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2011/06/detailed-look-back-at-game-seven-which.html#.Tfjkt3Ej5lw;facebook for a Pre-Game, Post-game reaction to tonight's game.

WELL WITH THAT BEING SAID, KICK BACK, RELAX, AND ENJOY THE GAME!!!!!(unless your attached to either team. In that case, sit at the edge of your couch and whenever something goes wrong, throw the nearest object at your TV screen)!!!!