This series has the potential to be an all time classic. Some of hockey’s most respected leaders will be competing for the Stanley Cup. Flyers captain Mike Richards, is uniformly described by scouts as a “Warrior”, in terms of his doing whatever it takes to win, aside from utilizing his tremendous skills.
Chris Pronger is still logging close to 30 minutes a game, and has the credentials that prove his overall value. Most scouts would would suggest that the Anaheim Ducks would not have won the Stanley Cup, without his overall talent, physical presence on the blue line,and his ability to “push the envelope”, as in aggressive play, which can sometimes lead to a penalty,but which frequently wears down the other team.
Similarly, the Blackhawks are also blessed with outstanding leadership, in the form of captain Jonathan Toews. Like a lot of very good leaders in professional sports, Toews does his talking through his superior skill. Going into the finals, Toews has 7 goals and 19 assists in 16 games. He also has 5 goals and 8 assists on the power play. The Hawks are regarded by many scouts as the the fastest skating team in the the NHL. Their defense,led by Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, are a very talented group. Both players are described as “ high character ” type athletes, as Keith proved by continuing to play, shortly after losing 7 teeth, after getting hit by the puck. The Chicago defense are a very mobile group, who can jump into the play on offense. Brent Sopel is a very effective stay at home defenseman. Dustin Byfuglien has been an major impact player in the last two playoff rounds. Neither the Canucks or the Sharks could control him. He has the ability to be an effective screen in front of the net, and he also has a dangerous shot, from 15 or 20 feet in front of the net. The Blackhawks have 4 solid forward lines, as was evident in the final game with San Jose,when Ben Eager inspired his teammates, through his physical play, after Chicago started the game without much energy.The Hawks began to assert themselves, after watching Eager’s hard nosed approach to the game.
Both goalkeepers, Antti Niemi ( .921 SV % ) for Chicago, and Michael Leighton ( .948 SV % ) for Philadelphia, have been tremendous Cinderella stories, and have surprised even long time hockey scouts as well as executives, with their superb play. The Hawks were widely criticized at the trade deadline,by many in the hockey media, for not acquiring a net minder. It seems as though the Hawks management team, including former G.M. Dale Tallon ( now GM with Florida ), and former assistant G.M. Rick Dudley,( The G.M. for Atlanta ) knew more than many in the hockey media did, about Niemi. Leighton’s revival seems to have shocked even veteran NHL executives, based on his performance, in getting to this stage of his career.
I am picking the Blackhawks, to win their first Stanley Cup, since 1961. Their depth at every position, gives them an edge over the Flyers, but it will still be an entertaining 7 game series. Let’s hope so !!!