Flyers may be out of rabbits

By now the story has been told so many times that it can’t be milked for any more mileage. Qualifying with an overtime win on the last day of the regular season, coming back from 3-0 (twice) to be the bruins, then coming from 0-2 to even the Stanley Cup Finals. Unfortunately the Flyers their magic wand is out of pixie dust as they must win two games in a row to win the championship. Although the ‘hustle board’ seemed to be very close as Philly had less give-a-ways, more hits, and the shots were about the same for the game, but the BHawks made the most of theirs, particularly in the first period when they outshot the Flyers almost 2 to 1, scoring on three minute intervals at 12, 15, and 18 minutes into the first period to put the game and maybe the series on ice. So now the Flyers must return to the well of fortune one more time and hope that they don’t come up dry as they’re going to need to change the momentum of a Chicago team that realizes how close they are to making history. Part of that task will be to take advantage of the power play opportunities when they have them in the three games they’ve lost in this series they’re 20% (2 of 10) but game 5 was the first time in the series they failed to beat Niemi at least once, which is not a good harbinger going into two must win games. Then again, they’ve been on the canvas before, and have not only gotten up but proceeded to but their opponent down. Unfortunately, the Blackhawks are battling back from a fight of their own, one that has lasted decades, and they’re not about to be caught with their guard down. Does Philly have one last comeback left in them? Let us know here and in any of the quick links:
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The BHawks have no reason to be comfortable

For the novice it would appear that the Stanley Cup Finals were over as now the Flyers must win four out of five games, but any true fan who has been watching the playoffs knows that this could be far from over after the comebacks and upsets that we’ve seen throughout the post-season. But even the Philly fans have to wonder if they’ve finally run out of silver bullets? They’ve come back from the dead four times since the last game of the regular season and now feline enthusiast wonder how many lives they have left. The two games thus far have had something for everyone. The end-to-end offense of game one left you wondering who would be left standing tying a record for goals scored to open a cup, and game two was the defensive and goaltending battle that we expected when we the two clubs first lined up. But not for a 28 second defensive lapse late in the second period Leighton would have had a shutout and heading back to the city of brotherly love even 1-1. It appears that was the Flyers wake up call as they quickly acknowledged the urgency of the situation and rekindled the aggressive forechecking that got them to the Finals to begin with and although they carried the pressure for the rest of the game they could only beat Niemi one time which was not enough to warrant a spit decision. Less than 25% if the offense that we saw in game one but exciting in its own right. Justifiably, the pundits have been have been wrong with their concerns of this year’s Cup matchup as although we don’t have an NY, LA, or Canadian club, we do have two great hockey cities, with great traditions, and members of the original six, competing for the championship while putting on a great show. Moreover, the NHL has done just fine for themselves so far even without the aid of the two biggest stars in the game, Crosby and Ovechkin, as the TV ratings for game 1 were the highest for an opener in 11 years and game 2 the highest ever for a second game. All of that said, the series and the pressure shifts back to the Flyers as they must answer the bell for round 3 of find themselves in the abyss of a 0-3 deficit. At that point the BHawks had better watch out because the Flyers will have them right where they want them. Do you think Philly will even the series at home or is Chicago just too strong? Let us know here and in any of the quick links.

NHL needs a clean sweep going into Stanley Cup Finals

In a post season that has had all of the components necessary to go down as one of the all time greats, including game 7’s, road wins, monumental upsets, and great individual performances, the 2010 may be remembered as the one that wasn’t. In addition to neither top seeds making to the Cup Finals (sorry Sharks fans but I’m writing this one off), the two top players on the planet couldn’t get out of the second round, and the President’s Cup winners were on the wrong side of the greatest upset in NHL history. Oh, and just for good measure through in the worst television schedule in Cup history and that does not bode well for the NHL making any sort of substantial rebound. So much for riding the momentum of the Olympic Hockey tournament. Not to be hypocritical, but the first three rounds have been amazing for the true fans, if we only had a TV network to actually broadcast the games at separate times we’d be in business. Anyway, what we need now is for the BHawks and the Flyers to close out their business in 4 games so we can get on with the Finals, were every game of the series is televised so it has an opportunity to build some momentum and a fan base. Unlike the NBA where you can see almost every game of every series, the NHL will show one or two OF one or two, and the casual fan or anyone on the west coast probably has no idea that Sid the Kid isn’t playing anymore. That said, what we should have left, baring another 0-2 or 0-3 aberration are the two hottest teams in the post season coming together for a great Cup Final. The Flyers have managed to change goalies mid stream and actually improve their momentum as Michael Leighton has all of the mo’ that Halak had against the Pens and more en route to 70 straight saves and consecutive shutouts (blowouts). I know what the Habs did to get this far is stuff of legend (only 8-seed ever to beat a 1 and a 2) but I think the dream ends here for them. On the flip side, the BHawks were the favorite of many to come from the pack and squeak one out at the wire, look like they’re peaking at the right time setting a precedent with seven consecutive road wins making every arena fell like Joe Louis. So what the NHL doesn’t need now that we have an intriguing story line after the marquis matchups are not possible, is for the forgone conclusions to drag out, and make a 4-1, 4-2 series last another week just long enough to the ether to wear off. Trust me, there is no Laker/Celtics mega fight at the end of this road and we need to hold all the viewers we can, if so, they will be well rewarded. What is your take on the this year’s playoffs? Let us know here and in any of the quick links.