the hardware
Forwards: Let's start with the Chicago Blackhawks. And when you start with the Blackhawks you have to start with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. This is the most dynamic, young centerman-winger combination in the entire NHL. Kane is a pure goal scorer and Toews has put together a dominating post season, leading the league in points scored. Through the first three playoff rounds, Toews must be the favorite to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.
The Flyers have a pretty intimidating centerman-wing combination of their own in Mike Richards and Simon Gagne. Richards is a tough, tough player and Gagne loves to put pucks in the back of the net. These guys will be checked by Joel Quennville's Dave Bolland-led line. Bolland has been a force this postseason going against the other teams' number one lines, stopping them cold, and scoring goals on the other team besides.
With Alan Ladd out of Game 1, there could be a different dynamic on the Blackhawks' checking line, but in terms of top line talent, I give an edge to Chicago.
Secondary scoring always becomes an edge after you prepare for a team's top line. The Flyers have Daniel Briere and Claude Giroux scoring goals right now and Jeff Carter still working his way back from injury. The Blackhawks rely on Patrick Sharp, Dustin Byfuglien, and Marian Hossa. This is Hossa's third straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals; I look for him to be big piece in this series after getting denied in his last two bids to hoist the Cup.
Goalies: Coming into the playoffs, both of these teams had questions about their goaltending, and for both teams, this area has become a strength throughout their respective playoff runs. Antti Niemi has been great for Chicago, another fine netminder coming out of Finland playing well in the NHL. On the other side of the ice will be Michael Leighton, who in his time as starter has put up the best goalie numbers in the playoffs, leading the league in shutouts, save percentage, and goals against average. With the way both these guys have been playing, I say goaltending in the series is a push.
Defense: On the back end, both teams are highlighted by some standout players. Philadelphia has Chris Pronger, an intimidating presence to say the least. Chicago has Duncan Keith, one of the great offensive defensemen in the game. Chicago likes to pinch their defenders very aggressively, which is a style the Flyers haven't seen all playoffs, and it will work to the Blackhawks' advantage.
Spare Thoughts: Not only have the Flyers not seen anyone this postseason with Chicago's same wide-open style, but they simply have't seen anyone with Chicago's talent yet either.
Chicago seems like it would be a better rested team after Philadelphia's grueling series against Montreal and their historic comeback from three games down against Boston in the Conference Semi-Final Round.
Chicago has played tremendously on the road this postseason, and along with having home ice in this series, the advantage based on where the games are played always seems to point in Chicago's direction.
Prediction: Chicago in 5
--from Eric
(Image from scrapetv.com)
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