vid v. Goliath tilt, yet others feel as though this match-up is much closer than people think.In one corner, the Chicago Blackhawks boast a tenacious defense, a no-name goaltender and major scoring depth. Their opponent, the Philadelphia Flyers tend to boast a tenacious defense, a no-name goaltender and major scoring depth. WOW! Sound familiar, folks? That’s right, these two squads are in fact mirror images of one another. This is what makes this series most interesting even to a neutral, casual fan.
Offense
Chicago’s depth is unprecedented with Captain Jonathan Toews and line-mate Patrick Kane leading the way. Yet, also the addition of Dustin Byfuglien to that top line has now formed the most dangerous line in the game. Byfuglien’s sudden emergence has only made Toews’ job as captain easier. “Big Buff,” as he is referred to, gets his 6’3 247 pound frame in front of the net and dominates, San Jose clearly could not stop him. Chicago has scoring depth even beyond its top line though also. Names like Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg, Dave Bolland and of course Marian Hossa must be on Philadelphia’s list also as they all have high ceilings offensively.
For the Philadelphia Flyers, Captain Mike Richards must continue to lead by example as he has all throughout the playoffs thus far. Now with a full line-up, the Flyers appear to be hitting from all cylinders at the most opportune time. Newly returned Jeff Carter has to help Richards by getting open in the slot on the top line which is easier said than done against Chicago’s solid defensive corps. The Flyers must find leaks in the Blackhawks’ defensive system early and often, and with their scoring depth as well, it is possible. The reemergence of Danny Briere brings Philadelphia’s offense full circle and if certain guys (i.e. Scott Hartnell, James vanRiemsdyk, etc.) get going, it could change the series instantly.
Defense
The Blackhawks’ blue-line is nasty, there is simply no other way to put it into words. Led by fierce defender Duncan Keith, they boast a deep corps that dish out the hits. Keith, who had seven teeth knocked out in Game 4 against San Jose, is a warrior on the backline for Chicago. Brent Seabrook and young Niklas Hjalmarsson also help supply grit and discipline for Coach Joel Quenneville. The ‘Hawks also have former prized free-agent Brian Campbell, who often goes unnoticed.
The Flyers’ Chris Pronger has been a mountain of a man in terms of his play and all-around leadership. Wherever the witty Pronger goes, success seems to follow, such is also the case now in Philadelphia with the Flyers just four wins away from Lord Stanley’s Cup. Fellow veteran Kimmo Timonen has also been a force for Philadelphia offensively and defensively, he remains a quarterback on the power play, now along with Pronger. It has been clear during the post-season that Coach Peter Laviolette is heavily relying on the Flyers’ top four defenseman of Timonen, Pronger, Matt Carle and Braydon Coburn, yet Pronger mostly.
Goaltending
Annti Niemi’s emergence in net for the Blackhawks has been a godsend for them. Even though Cristobal Huet manned the net in the beginning of the year, Niemi’s time had come, as he has been the primary starter since after The Olympic Break. The important thing for him is getting off on the right foot and securing a few solid games in the early part of the series. In both rounds one and two Chicago lost Game 1 by scores of 4-1 and 5-1 to Nashville and Vancouver respectively. Niemi has made some spectacular saves in the post-season on surefire goal-scorers, yet the 26-year-old Fin is quite vulnerable at times as seen in the 2nd round against Vancouver.
Where to begin with the Philadelphia Flyers goaltending? Brian Boucher appeared to be “the guy” in net for the Flyers until an injury in Game 5 of the 2nd Round pretty much ended his run. Fortuitously, Michael Leighton had just been activated prior to Game 5 against Boston, and thus the story begins. Ever since then, Leighton has been a remarkable 6-1 with a 1.45 GAA. Mr. Waiver-Wire’s season looked to have been over on March 16th against Nashville due to an ankle injury. Remember that it was Ray Emery, returning to the NHL after an excursion to Russia’s KHL, who started the year as the Flyers’ starting goalie. Too much for ya? Well, that has just been the Flyers’ year in net, now after all that, Michael Leighton holds the reigns and looks to deliver a Stanley Cup.
Sub-Stories
O Canada - Between the two squads in the Finals there are five players that won Gold with Team Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics. There is a sense of camaraderie and alliance between the two teams, or at least the five players, all who play an intricate role for their respective team now in The Stanley Cup Finals.
No-Name-Nets - Annti Niemi and Michael Leighton. Long gone are the days of Glenn Hall and Bernie Parent, two men who were not just #1 on their uniforms. No one ever expected to see these two goalies in The Stanley Cup Finals, but now the stage is theirs. One of their names will be etched on Lord Stanley’s Cup forever after the conclusion of this series.
Dustin Byfuglien vs. Chris Pronger - Flyers’ Coach Peter Laviolette will hope to get his top defensemen out their against Chicago’s top line every chance he gets in this series. Though the major focus is the big roadblock of Byfuglien in front, and the tasty proposition of combating him with big Chris Pronger, the Flyers cannot lose sight of the goal. They need to hold Byfuglien afloat, not giving him a chance to get comfortable, yet also, perhaps more importantly, they must contain his line-mates Kane and Toews first. The focus must be collectively on all three players, they can all do major damage, the Flyers’ have to be looking to ultimately take this line out of their comfort zone quickly. Could the Cup possibly go through this match-up?
O Captain, My Captain - This has been a story of the two captains thus far, Jonathan Toews of Chicago and Mike Richards of Philadelphia. These two Team Canada teammates square off for the richest prize in the game. The winner of the series also could take home The Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP. These two young captains show a changing of the guard of captains with new, emerging captains taking the place of long-time veteran captains. These two teams both found their respective leaders at young ages and surrounded them with some veteran leadership along the way, they now play for The Stanley Cup. Want a blueprint on how it‘s done?
Third Time’s a Charm? - Marian Hossa has persevered through the last few seasons, somehow! In 2008, he was traded from Atlanta to Pittsburgh mid-season only to lose The Stanley Cup in 6 games to Detroit. So, why not swap teams right? Wrong. “The Marian Hossa Curse,” if you will followed him to Detroit, as now it was Pittsburgh, his old team that defeated Detroit in 7 games in 2009. But now it is 2010 and his Chicago Blackhawks are in the Stanley Cup Finals. Is there a “Marian Hossa Curse?” Only time will tell.
Prediction
The Flyers embrace the underdog role and have fought through constant adversity for two months of these playoffs. They have a big-game player in Chris Pronger who seems to have success follow him. Chicago rolled through the top-seeded Sharks en route to the Finals and look to use the home-ice advantage to their favor for a change in these playoffs (Only 5-3 at home.) Though Chicago did face tougher opponents on their way to the Finals, both teams start at 0-0 now with the first to four wins parading Lord Stanley around their city.
Chicago seemingly escaped Nashville in Round 1 to get here then struggled a bit with Vancouver before rolling over San Jose. Philadelphia, on the other hand, breezed by divisional rival New Jersey then came back from a 3-0 series then of course Game 7 deficit to a feisty Boston squad before knocking out Montreal to get to The Stanley Cup Finals. As far as I am concerned, it will take a (Matt) Stairs-ian effort if you will. In other words, a player unexpectedly coming up huge in a clutch situation. For Chicago it may be newly re-inserted Tomas Kopecky, or possibly John Madden. If a Flyer were to do so it could very well be Arron Asham, or even James vanRiemsdyk who become heroic for the rest of their days.
When all is said and done, only one team will “walk together forever.” The Philadelphia Flyers, if they can thwart Chicago’s speed and harness their aggression by staying out of the penalty box, can win this series. Chicago, on the other hand is the odds-on favorite to end their drought of 49 years. Whatever team is able to steal a game early due to a heroic effort from their net minder will emerge victorious. That being said, Michael Leighton carries the torch of Flyer net-minding right now with a heavy heart since the Brian Boucher injury, for he is receiving a once in a lifetime opportunity and has made the most of it.
The Philadelphia Flyers in 6 games in front of the home crowd on a beautiful Wednesday evening. Where will you be?
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