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[dan the man 67]

Well, my hockey watching season is over. First, Detroit checks out, then Montreal, now it's my turn. Would have been quite the story if Montreal would have pulled it off.

I give props to Philly for coming back from being down 3 - 0, however I hope Boston takes it. If it's not one of my 2 favorite teams, then at least let it be an "Original 6" team.

[pantomime horse]

Originally Posted by dan the man 67

Well, my hockey watching season is over. First, Detroit checks out, then Montreal, now it's my turn. Would have been quite the story if Montreal would have pulled it off.

I give props to Philly for coming back from being down 3 - 0, however I hope Boston takes it. If it's not one of my 2 favorite teams, then at least let it be an "Original 6" team.

I'm going to guess that you're hoping 'Chicago' takes it, not Boston. Just a guess.

I'm going to watch the Cup Finals. Detroit isn't playing, nor are any other teams I was rooting for, but I'll back Philly just to have a team. I'd like to see the underdogs take it.

[dan the man 67]

Originally Posted by pantomime horse

I'm going to guess that you're hoping 'Chicago' takes it, not Boston. Just a guess.

My bad! Just plug in any original 6 team as the Cup winner, and I'll be happy.

[Masscore]

Originally Posted by dan the man 67

My bad! Just plug in any original 6 team as the Cup winner, and I'll be happy.

Lol, I concur. I mean unless its the Habs, Maple Leafs, Rangers, or Wings... so I guess that only leaves the Bruins and Blackhawks for me.

[kickass32]

I see the finals coming down to speed and goaltending.
Defence is pretty much a wash, you could make arguements either way...I personally like Chicago's D a little better, but then again there is the Pronger factor.....
Can Philly handle Chicago's speed??? The did a good job of containing Montreals speed, but Chicagos forwards are fast and have size. Leighton is going to get alot more work, and I think it's going to come down to how he holds up against the pressure. I am willing to bet we see Boucher at some point in this series.

[Masscore]

Originally Posted by kickass32

I see the finals coming down to speed and goaltending.
Defence is pretty much a wash, you could make arguements either way...I personally like Chicago's D a little better, but then again there is the Pronger factor.....
Can Philly handle Chicago's speed??? The did a good job of containing Montreals speed, but Chicagos forwards are fast and have size. Leighton is going to get alot more work, and I think it's going to come down to how he holds up against the pressure. I am willing to bet we see Boucher at some point in this series.

Philly's road has been way easier then the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks had to play the 6, 3 and 1 seed out of the West which has been far better then the East this year. And meanwhile Philly played the 3, 6, and 8 seeds in a weak East. And they are only were they are because Boston collapsed, they were one OT goal away from being swept.

I think a lot of people are trying to find a reason why Philly could compete in this series just because they want it to be a good series. But at the end of the day look at both teams and really decide if Philly has any chance at all? The Blackhawks have a much better offense (271 to 236 GF) and a much better defense (209 to 225 GA) while playing the West which was way better then the East this year. I would be honestly shocked if it went to a 6th game and I am fully expecting a clean sweep. If the Bruins can almost sweep the Flyers, then the Blackhawks should be able to do it in dominating fashion.

[kickass32]

Originally Posted by Masscore

Philly's road has been way easier then the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks had to play the 6, 3 and 1 seed out of the West which has been far better then the East this year. And meanwhile Philly played the 3, 6, and 8 seeds in a weak East. And they are only were they are because Boston collapsed, they were one OT goal away from being swept.

I think a lot of people are trying to find a reason why Philly could compete in this series just because they want it to be a good series. But at the end of the day look at both teams and really decide if Philly has any chance at all? The Blackhawks have a much better offense (271 to 236 GF) and a much better defense (209 to 225 GA) while playing the West which was way better then the East this year. I would be honestly shocked if it went to a 6th game and I am fully expecting a clean sweep. If the Bruins can almost sweep the Flyers, then the Blackhawks should be able to do it in dominating fashion.

I don't neccesarily disagree, however, 99.8% of the people thought Detroit was way too strong playing an inferior Eastern conference team in New Jersey, and the Devils SWEPT Detroit.
On paper I don't think this is as much of a mis-match as people think:
DEFENCE:
Hawks: Seabrook, Keith, Campbell, Sopel, Hjalmarsson
VS.
Philly: Pronger, Coburn, Timonen, Carle, Krajicek, Parent

This is actually a fairly close comparison...I give the edge to the Hawks, but not by a lot.

FORWARDS:
Hawks: Toews, Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Byfuglien, Bolland, Versteeg, Ladd, madden
VS.
Philly: Richards, Briere, Carter, Giroux, Gagne, Leino, Hartnell, Van Riemsdyk, Carcillo

Again a fairly close comparison....I give the edge to the Hawks, but again, not by a lot. When motivated, Jeff Carter is every bit as talented as Toews. Briere, Gagne, very talented....plus you've got the Hossa curse on the other side, and his tendencies to disappear when things get rough....ask Detroit or Pittsburgh.

GOALTENDING:
Hawks: Niemi...2.33 GAA .921 S% 2 SO

Philly: Leighton..1.45 GAA .948 S% 4 SO

On paper this edge goes to Philly, But I again give the edge to Chicago.
I give speed advantage to Chicago...toughness a willingness to do whatever it takes to win....I give a slight edge to Philly....Coaching, very, VERY even in my books. PP gotta give Chicago the edge, PK..I give a slight edge to Philly.
On ice leadership...both teams have a lot, but I give a slight edge to Philly, with Pronger and Richards, 2 of the best leaders in the game today.

All in all, I do think the series will probably in 5 games...maybe 6, but I believe every game will be EXTREMELY close, With Chicago winning.

[pantomime horse]

Damn close game. Philly showed they are definitely in this. Props to Chicago for winning out in the end.

Oh, and I know now another reason why I want Philadelphia to win. I just don't like the Blackhawks coach. I've never liked him. Can anybody else relate to this?

[b1uef1ow]

Originally Posted by pantomime horse

Damn close game. Philly showed they are definitely in this. Props to Chicago for winning out in the end.

Oh, and I know now another reason why I want Philadelphia to win. I just don't like the Blackhawks coach. I've never liked him. Can anybody else relate to this?

Joel Quinneville? The only reason I have to somewhat dislike him is because he looks like a power crazy cop. Other then that I think he's done an amazing job with those young kids.

Game 3 tonight, how do you all think it's going to play out?

[pantomime horse]

Originally Posted by b1uef1ow

Joel Quinneville? The only reason I have to somewhat dislike him is because he looks like a power crazy cop. Other then that I think he's done an amazing job with those young kids.

Game 3 tonight, how do you all think it's going to play out?

LOL @ the cop comment.

Oh, I think tonight will end up being less close than games 1 & 2 were. Just a guess.