Tonight, the Stanley Cup Playoffs may come to an end with the Blackhawks having a 3-2 series lead heading into Game 6 in Philadelphia. So, can the Blackhawks do it and win their first title since 1961? Or, will the Flyers force a deciding Game 7 back in Chitown? Let's look at some of the key factors in Game 6...
*Homeice Advantage
-They Flyers are an impressive 10-1 at the Wachovia Center in Philly. The Broad Street Bullies have pushed around the opposition at home, and in Games 3 and 4 their offense carried the day with 9 total goals. It's ironic that in a Stanley Cup Playoffs that had seen the road team actually win a majority of games heading into the final that now we have seen the home team win each of the first 5 games of the Stanley Cup Finals! The Hawks though are 2 for 2 in clinching games on the road this postseason and still have a 7-3 road record this postseason. The Blackhawks forced Game 3 into OT, and I would expect another close game tonight.
*Who's Between The Pipes?
-Michael Leighton, the Flyers young standout goalie, was pulled for the second time in the series after giving up 3 first period goals in Game 5. Brian Boucher came in and also gave up 3 goals before an empty netter gave Chicago their lucky 7. So, Flyers nation (if such a thing exists) has to wonder who is going to be between the pipes for the do or die Game 6? All signs point to Leighton getting the nod, but his save percentage is down from 95% against Montreal to 86.7% in the Finals. He's also giving up goals in bunches and gave up 3 each in Games 3 and 4 in Philly. It seems like the Hawks might have figured out Leighton, and if he allows 3 more goals in the first period tonight, there won't be another second chance.
*Star Watch
-Chris Pronger has become the lightning rod of the Stanley Cup Finals. First, Pronger had this ridiculous child-like habit of stealing the game pucks from Chicago wins. Now, the Chicago Tribune has made things personal with this picture (I guess, I assume hockey players don't like being shown in skirts). On the ice, it seemed like Chicago finally neutralized him effectively in Game 5 by switching up a couple lines and having Dustin Byfuglein be physical with him. Splitting up Byfuglein from Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews and shuffling the Chicago lines worked perfectly - Big Buff had 2 goals and Kane showed up with a goal and an assist. The Blackhawks have such good depth that splitting up Buff, Kane, and Toews means that the Flyers can match Pronger up with only one of them and each line remains effective. If Chicago spreads the wealth on their lines again and gets contributions from each of them, then the Cup can be claimed.
*Intangibles
-The momentum heading into this Game 6 is firmly with the Blackhawks. But, it's not like the Flyers are incapable of climbing out of a hole - see the 3-0 3-0 comeback against Boston. But, the Blackhawks offense is much more capable than the Bruins, and it's hard to see either Flyers goalie turn it on at this point. I would expect to see Chicago continue their Game 5 strategy of splitting the top line and upping the tempo against the Flyers with wave after wave of attack. As long as Antti Niemi can play somewhere near his best, I see the Blackhawks lifting the Cup tonight. I'm just sad we won't get to hear this...
PICK: Hawks 5 Flyers 3
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