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STANLEY CUP FINAL
Chicago Blackhawks vs Philadelphia
Flyers
Headliner:
To steal yet another perfect pun from Ron Maclean of Hockey Night In Canada –
Rocky Balboa meets up with Rocky Wirtz. The city of brotherly love meets the
Windy City. Chris Pronger, meet Dustin Byfuglien. Kapeesh?
How they got here:
Chicago swept San Jose in 4 games, Philadelphia defeated Montreal in 5 games
Conn Smythe Trophy Candidates:
– Chicago: Dustin
Byfuglien, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp; Philadelphia: Chris
Pronger, Mike Richards, Danny Briere, Michael Leighton
Hero potential:
Best defined as the one player per team who could make a difference when it’s
least expected, but comes around in the right place at the right time. Example
- Mike Rupp scored the game and series winning goal in Game 7 between New Jersey
and Anaheim in 2003. Last year, in Game 7 between Pittsburgh and Detroit, it
was Max Talbot. In Chicago, while people reminisce about Stan Mikita and Bobby
Hull, a lot of talk is being made about Ab McDonald, who scored the winner in
Game 6 between the Hawks and Red Wings way back in 1961, the last time the
Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. Who will make history? Just for laughs, here
are my thoughts on who might be such a difference maker: Chicago – Dave Bolland;
Philadelphia – Ville Leino. Time will tell if I’m right.
Chicago wins if:
They can somehow, anyhow, break
the Marian Hossa jinx. Pittsburgh experienced it in 2008, Detroit experienced
it last year. Hossa must really be starting to wonder if 3rd time is
a charm, as this is now the 3rd straight year he’s been to the
finals, yet he’s still looking to lift the Stanley Cup over his head for the
first time. Ottawa fans know all too well about this and to this day relish the
fact he’s still looking to win it all.
The obvious answer
for the Blackhawks winning their first championship in 49 years is keep doing
what they’ve been doing – and they’ve been doing a lot of scoring, both even
strength and special teams, and if Antti Niemi can continue to answer the
critics who said he was questionable. I don’t think we can question the
goaltending any longer in Chicago. Who knew Nikolai Khabibulin wasn’t the guy?
The only problem I can foresee is if Niemi fails, there isn’t another option
other than Cristobal Huet. At this stage do you really want to rely on your
backup? Who am I kidding here, Philadelphia won two rounds with their backup!
Philadelphia wins if:
They can stay healthy and
keep the karma going. Throughout the Montreal series, the Flyers got a huge
lift with the return of Jeff Carter and Ian Laperriere. How could you not get
chills watching Laperriere block shots with a full face shield after what he
went through earlier in the playoffs (brain contusion)? There’s talk Brian
Boucher, who many thought wasn’t coming back this season, might be able to at
least play backup to Michael Leighton, who for the time being has won the right
to be the man in net. Chris Pronger has been here before, both on the winning
and losing end. Experience seems to be the theme of the day in the city of
brotherly love.
We’ve seen so
much during this playoff run. I can make several cases for either team to win
it all, and they would all make sense. Before the season a lot of people were
picking the Flyers to be here, as it turned out, for all the wrong reasons. A
lot of people were picking the Blackhawks to be here. The Flyers already pulled
off a 7th vs 2nd upset in the first round, now they’ll
look to pull off an inter conference 7th vs 2nd upset, but
not if the Blackhawks can help it. Flip a coin and decide. Both teams have the
goaltending they need. Both teams have great defense (Keith, Seabrook and
Campbell vs Pronger, Laperriere and Carle). Both teams have explosive offense
that can kill you on the scoreboard if you make a mistake (Toews, Kane,
Byfuglien vs Richards, Carter, Briere). Both teams have been good on special
teams. Both arenas have music that gives you chills (The Fratellis’ “Chelsea
Dagger” in Chicago, and the late great Kate Smith singing God Bless America with
current anthem singer Lauren Hart in Philadelphia). Both teams have waited a
long time to be given this opportunity. One thing everybody seems to be able to
agree upon is this will be a long, hard fought series – obviously the hardest
series both teams have had to endure so far. It’s really a shame only one can
win, but this is how it is. I can’t do it. I can't pick a winner. I have no idea what’s going to
happen anymore. It’s just been one of those years.
Prediction:
Coin toss – History Will Be Made – in 6
That’s all
you get from me. Enjoy the final, it’s going to be a dandy!
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