Getty Images/Charles Krupa

Sometimes, even the best get shutdown. Just ask Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins boast a pair of former MVPs who have done it all. They combined for the franchise’s third Stanley Cup in ’09. Each has won scoring titles and dominated. It didn’t matter against the Bruins. For the first time in their brilliant careers, they went four consecutive postseason games without a point.

Not coincidentally, Boston swept Pittsburgh to make their second trip in three years to the Cup Final. They await the winner between Chicago and Los Angeles. The Blackhawks can close out the Kings tonight. If it’s the Hawks, it would pit the two best teams in the tournament.

Indeed, the Bruins are better than their fourth seed. After needing a miracle to stun Toronto, they won eight of nine reaching the Finals. In dumping the Rangers and Pens, they made it look easy. After eliminating the Rangers in five, they put on a clinic against a very talented Penguin roster. Astonishingly, they allowed only two goals in the four-game sweep. Tuukka Rask was at his best stifling Crosby and Malkin, who could only scratch their heads. Each hit posts in Game Three. The one game the Pens could’ve won. Instead, giant questions are being asked in the Steel City following an unceremonious exit. How could a team that went all in score twice in four games? Tomas Vokoun gave them a chance. He did his part.

Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero added Jarome Iginla and Brenden Morrow to a deep roster that boasted Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz, James Neal and rover Kris Letang. He also picked up Doug Murray to bolster the blueline. None of it mattered because the Pens couldn’t match up with the peskier Bruins. Boston plays a strong overall game. They’re not only fast but physical and stingy defensively. Against Pittsburgh, they frustrated Crosby and Malkin by smothering them. In particular, Sid who couldn’t escape checks. So strong were the B’s in the neutral zone that they pounced on every Pens mistake. That included a Crosby turnover early in Game Two which Brad Marchand deposited setting the tone in a 6-1 blowout that put his team up 2-0. Every other game was competitive. But you never got the sense Pittsburgh could win. Even in last night’s 1-0 closeout where Malkin had a gaping net with Vokoun pulled. But a sliding Chara got his stick on it and Malkin later fanned on a one-timer before the clock ran out.

When it was over, Boston had beaten Pittsburgh four straight. They outscored the Pens 12-2. The B’s did it with precision. While the Pens never got untracked, the B’s got contributions throughout. David Krejci, Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton were a handful. Patrice Bergeron dominated in the circle and his OT winner from Marchand and ex-Pen Jaromir Jagr was symbolic of why the Bruins are here. It was his sudden death goal that completed a stirring comeback from three goals down to stun the Maple Leafs. Of course, Horton and Lucic were part of it before Bergeron tied and won a wild first round series. Bergeron is the epitome of dedication and determination. Arguably the best overall player out of a memorable ’03 Draft, he was stolen in the second round (45th overall). He’ll never put up flashy numbers or blow you away. But the Selke winner has battled back from concussions to become one of the smartest players. He doesn’t have to score to be effective. But when he does, it’s usually clutch.

In their second round triumph over the Rangers, it was the play of the fourth line. Greg Campbell, Daniel Paille and Shawn Thornton caused chaos. They forechecked and scored big goals. Campbell has been a solid citizen for Claude Julien. The son of former Ranger bench boss Colin Campbell, the ex-Panther who came over with Horton in a lopsided trade for Dennis Wideman, Campbell plays the rugged style Julien loves. Unfortunately, a blocked shot resulted in a broken fibula ending his postseason. Kaspars Daugavins replaced him yesterday. The Bruins’ depth has them aiming for a second Cup in three years. That includes second round hero Torey Krug and Game Four closer Adam McQuaid. They have made it despite no goals for Jagr, who hit another post. No.68’s gotten stronger. He’ll play for his first Cup since ’92 when he teamed with Mario Lemieux for back-to-back Cups in Pittsburgh. Fitting that he’d go through them and might face Chicago. The scene of his greatest moment.

You look at Boston’s roster and it’s apparent why they’ve lasted. They’re the definition of a T-E-A-M. Every player knows their role. They all contribute. The Rangers had a roster like that last Spring. But fell to the Devils. The changes they made didn’t work. Funny how that works out. Sometimes, the best trades you make are the ones you don’t. The Bruins kept their roster and added Jagr and Wade Redden, who’s been out since the first round. Jagr was their consolation prize when Iginla rejected them to play with Crosby and the Pens. To again use one of my favorite quotes from the end of Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, “He chose poorly.” Despite putting up four more goals and five more points, he was ineffective against the Bruins. Jagr wasn’t. Julien had him out there for the final shift.

The playoffs can be quite humbling. For the Pens, they face important decisions this summer. Are they really going to fire Dan Bylsma? If so, who replaces him? Imagine if it’s John Tortorella. Don’t. Dupuis is a free agent and will attract plenty of attention. If they don’t re-sign him, they should bring back Matt Cooke. Cooke’s an effective player who belongs in Pittsburgh. It would be a mistake to let him go. Iginla, Morrow and Murray all are unrestricted. Their roster could have a different look next Fall.

For one team, it’s a colossal disappointment. For the other, it’s a chance to win two Cups in three years. Something unheard of in the salary cap era. Boston Strong.