Canucks must get past nemesis Bruins to win first Stanley Cup

It has been a good stretch for hockey in Vancouver. And it could get even sweeter in the next two weeks, as the Canucks play home-ice host for the Stanley Cup Finals that begin Wednesday.

Just a little more than a year ago, Vancouver was the scene of the Winter Olympics. Team Canada won gold in hockey by beating the United States in overtime, thanks in large part to Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo. Just 16 months later, he has a chance to help his NHL team win its first title.

Luongo won’t do it alone. Phenomenal forwards Daniel and Henrik Sedin have been twin towers for the Canucks and won Olympic gold with Sweden in 2006. Linemate Ryan Kesler was on the American side of the 2010 Olympic final, but a win here would ease that pain.

The Canucks had the best record in the league in the regular season and will try to be the first team to win the Presidents’ Trophy (for best record) and Stanley Cup in the same season since Detroit in 2008. But to do it, they must defeat a team they have beaten just 25 times in 108 games.

The Boston Bruins will do their best to rain on the Pacific Northwest parade. They won the teams’ only meeting this season, 3-1, in Vancouver. Boston was led by Vancouver native Milan Lucic, with a goal and two assists.

Boston has been a steady, hard-working team all season, and it will have to stay tough to win its first Cup in 39 years.

The Bruins rely heavily on netminder Tim Thomas, who has only given up one goal in three career games against Vancouver.