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Can Bruins Shock the World and Win This Year’s Stanley Cup?

The Bruins are in the playoffs.

Not too many people expect them to win the Stanley Cup this season, but not too many people expected a bunch of American college kids to beat the Russians in the 1980 Olympics either.

Anything is possible. All it takes is a team catching fire at the right time.

If Tuukka Rask stands on his head and plays like Gerry Cheevers, the Bruins have a shot.

If special teams can kill penalties the way they did against the Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon at the Garden, when they scored three shorthanded goals in 64 seconds, the Bruins have a shot.

If every player approaches every shift like it’s his last and the team battles for 60 minutes (or as long as it takes) every game, the Bruins have a shot.

If Dennis Wideman keeps using all those boos as motivation and makes positive contributions, the Bruins have a shot.

If Shawn Thornton, Daniel Paille and Steve Begin continue to do the little things that don't show up in box scores, the Bruins have a shot.

If Marco Sturm, Patrice Bergeron, Mark Recchi, David Krejci, Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder find the back of the net with regularity, the Bruins have a shot.

If Zdeno Chara, Matt Hunwick and Johnny Boychuk lead the blue-line charge and shut down opposing snipers, the Bruins have a shot.

If Claude Julien channels Cy Denneny, Art Ross and Cooney Weiland behind the bench, the Bruins have a shot.

It won’t be easy without Marc Savard, Mark Stuart, Andrew Ference and Dennis Seidenberg, but don’t underestimate the heart of champions.

Remember the words of Herb Brooks, via Kurt Russell, via Josh Sacco.

Great moments are born from great opportunity. That's what you have here this postseason, boys. That's what you earned here. One postseason. If we play our opponents 10 times, they might win nine. But not now. Not this postseason. This postseason, we skate with 'em. This postseason, we stay with 'em, and we shut them down because we can. This postseason, we are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players, every one of ya. And you were meant to be here this postseason. This is your time. Their time is done. It's over. I'm sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team everyone else has. Screw 'em! This is your time. Now go out there and take it.

Bring on the Sabres or Devils or Capitals or Penguins. Let the rest of the NHL overlook the Black and Gold.

Very little has gone right for the Bruins this year. Adversity has attacked them like a rabid dog. A lesser group would have packed it in a long time ago and started planning Caribbean cruises and tee times, but this team dug deep and persevered. They have shown grit and determination.

Now, it’s a new a season on Causeway Street.

The Bruins haven’t won a Cup since 1972. This year is as good as any to end that streak and make Bobby Orr, Johnny Bucyk and Phil Esposito proud.

The hockey gods already delivered some justice to Matt Cooke, courtesy of a one-punch knockout by Atlanta’s Evander Kane. Don’t be surprised if those same gods are smiling on Boston through June. 

Do you believe in miracles?

The 2009-10 Bruins are ready to produce one.