Chicago Blackhawks has been close to the best team in Hockey, though they finished overall third in points for the regular season. For mine, it still makes them a Tier One team with Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins both knocked out by Montreal 'HalakAmania' Canadiens and the San Jose Sharks. As for the Philadelphia Flyers I have them as tier 3 teams which many tier two teams being knocked out in between. Putting them as a Tier three team in the League is actually rather generous as I don't know how they managed to get to the Stanley Cup Finals?
The Flyers have avoided both Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins thanks to Montreal Canadians. They were down 3-0 in the series against Boston and actually down 3-0 in game seven in Boston, unbelievable. With 88 regular season points, they would not have made the playoffs in the Western Conference. There's probably only three blokes I can name on the Flyers team - Mike Richards, Chris Pronger and Simon Gagne ~ I only know Defenseman Chris Pronger as he's been in the league so long. I can't help but keep looking for Eric Lindros on the ice, the last time they won the Cup was when I was born, and that lead to back to back wins.
When Miami Heat won the NBA Championship against Dallas Mavericks, with just Dwayne Wade and Shaq, I and most declared them the worse team to ever win a NBA Championship. If the Flyers somehow lift the Cup, I will be saying the same thing about Philadelphia Flyers.
Obviously great Goal Keeping is the start to any Stanley Cup winning side. And Antti Niemi in his second season is awesome. My understanding is that when he was drafted, most didn't even consider him the best Goalie coming out of Finland. Guess the Blackhawks are happy.
Though the Blackhawks have very good players, the Blackhawks don't have any super stars like Sid the Kid or Ovechkin. I think one of their best move was to put RW Dustin Byfuglien (pictured) on the main line, now in his 5th season in the league. He stills plays with that youthful enthusiasm and being on the main line playing with his teams best players, has really worked out. Big mention goes to Center Jonathan Toews and vetran Marian Hossa most recently ex-Detroit Red Wings. When Byfuglien is on the ice, the entire team really passes the eye test. Their stats may not make great reading on a box score, or you won't see him on a highlights package, but you feel safe as a Blackhawks fan when he is on the ice and know he won't let the team down. For mine he seems to always be in position, and very rarely makes you want to scream at him for doing something stupid.
Looking at the Western Conference Finals series, what also impressed me about the Chicago Blackhawks is how they dominated the Neutral Zone against San Jose Sharks and even Vancouver Canucks, and how Byfuglien would get in front of the goalie and just take up so much space. For mine, I think this is where they will dominate the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Blackhawks have won 7 straight on the road! And as Barry Melrose has said on the "Melrose Line" the reason for this is at home the United Center in Chicago gets super loud, and the players want to please the crowd with that extra pass, with that sexy goal. Whereas on the road they are happy to play a more controlled game and dump in the puck, play the tough game and get the job done. This is a more effective strategy for Chicago Blackhawks and and perhaps coach Joel Quenneville should perhaps tell the crowd to calm down and just be happy with a win any old way! After saying all this I have them lifting the cup on home ice.
Besides giving you my pick which won't surprise, it should be noted that Patrick Sharp was dumped by the Philadelphia Flyers in Dec 2005 for some bloke called Matt Ellison. Ellison played seven NHL games and languishes in Russia at the moment. The Chicago Blackhawks beat awesome teams in Vancouver Canucks & San Jose sharks, I can't say that about Phillies opponents on the way to the Cup.
Simply put, Chicago's Top Line is better, their defense and structure is better, and I like their Goalie more and they have genuine form on the board. It's been 48 years since the Blackhawks have lifted the Cup...
And to my good friend Justin Edwards who loved Chicago Blackhawks and how many a time did we watch Ed Belfour between the pipes ~ trying to save Justin's beloved team, I feel if they can lift the cup this year, look down and smile and know this one's a little bit for you.
So my tip, I see Philadephia splitting the series in Chicago, going home 1-1. Then Chicago continue their dominance on the road to win he next two in the Wachovia Center, going up 3-1 to finally wrap it up at home 4-1.
Happy punting and go the Blackhawks.
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