Fun with Game 7 Numbers

The two most exciting words in sports: Game Seven. The NHL and Lord Stanley's Cup take center stage tonight on what will be the grandest stage hockey has had in the 21st century. Ratings for this year's final are the highest since 1999, especially in Boston. After the Red Sox, Bruins television ratings have been the highest, even outdrawing the Celtics in the NBA finals last year. If the NHL stock was on Mad Money, it would be a triple buy.

The Numbers:

• There have been 15 Stanley Cup Game Sevens
• The home team has won 12 of those 15 games (VAN +1)
• Vancouver has lost its only game 7 in 1994 to the Rangers (BOS +1)
• Tim Thomas has all but wrapped up the Conn Smythe Trophy for the Stanley Cup playoff's Most Valuable Player.
• The team that possesses the Conn Smythe Trophy Winner is 14-1 in game sevens (BOS +1)
• Vancouver is without at least two of its top six defencemen (Dan Hamhuis - injury and Aaron Rome - Suspension) and possibly a third with Alex Edler's game seven status still a mystery. (VAN -2.5)
• Boston will be without its offensive MVP Nathan Horton despite Horton Traveling with the team. (BOS -1.5)
• ...However Vancouver's spark plug, Mayson Raymond, received a compression fracture on his spine on an awkward, unpunished hit by Johnny Boychuk. The "Win one for Mason" campaign is on! (VAN +0.5)

Totals = Vancouver -1 Boston +0.5

What this means: Due to the low totals of both teams, game seven will not be game with end-to-end, odd-man-rush after odd-man-rush extravaganza, and the Bruins will benefit the most from that style because the game will be played mostly five-on-five, and no team is better than Boston at five-on-five hockey.

Prediction: BOSTON 2 VANCOUVER 1 with Boston adding an empty netter to make the FINAL SCORE BOSTON 3 VANCOUVER 1

I apologize to Boston fans in advance for raising their hopes because my predictions are backed by the strength of aluminum foil.