Lightning Get Their Guy; Hire Boucher As New Head Coach

The Tampa Bay Lightning held a press conference today to announce the hiring of 2009-2010 American Hockey League Coach of the Year, Guy Boucher.  Recently hired General Manager Steve Yzerman was present to make the announcement touting Boucher's intelligence and expressing total confidence in the hiring.  Boucher, age 38, will be the youngest Head Coach in the NHL after posting an impressive 52 win season behind the bench in AHL Hamilton.

During the Q & A session of the press conference, Boucher stressed the importance of shared values with Yzerman and the need to install the proper culture within the organization.  Despite his relatively young age as a coach, Boucher is highly regarded in hockey circles for his cerebral approach to the game.  Having earned a Masters degree in Psychology at University of Montreal, Boucher is the type of coach that communicates with players based on their individual needs.  He's also known for his unconventional coaching systems typically employing an aggressive offensive and defensive forecheck.

Boucher reportedly signed a four year contract with the Lightning.  It remains to be seen who the assistant coaches are that he will be surrounding him with, but Yzerman stated that his newly hired coach would be provided with everything he needs to be successful.

So, what do hockey fans think?  First Yzerman, then Verbeek, now Boucher.  Is new owner Jeff Vinik making the right moves to turn around the Bolts?  Certainly seems at least a 100 times more credible than the "dearly departed" OK Hockey ownership group who thought Lightning fans would be impressed with the laughable hiring of Barry Melrose.

Hawks Win Cup For First Time In 49 Years; Hossa Wins In Third Attempt

Hawks star forward Marian Hossa finally got a chance to feel what it's like to win a Stanley Cup after being on the losing side of the Finals for the past 2 seasons as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 in Overtime of Game 6.  However, Chicago forward Patrick Kane was the main story in Game 6 scoring the game winning goal and earning 2 assists for his efforts.  "It's something you dream about, scoring the final goal in the Stanley Cup Finals," said Kane.

Chicago Captain Jonathan Toews would be awarded the Conn Smythe trophy as Stanley Cup MVP who tied a Blackhawks record with 29 points in the playoffs.

It appeared the Flyers had seized momentum after a game tying fluke goal in the 3rd period by forward Scott Hartnell that occurred after a centering pass from forward Ville Leino deflected off the skate of Hawks defenseman Brent Seabrook and then off of Marian Hossa.  The Flyers dominated much of the 3rd period and came extremely close to winning the game in the first 20 seconds of OT.

But the home crowd would not get to witness a victory this time.

Goaltending would plague the Flyers once more as Michael Leighton gave up the game winner from a weak angle shot by Kane that trickled through his leg guards.  The Blackhawks were finally able to bring home the Cup after last winning way back in 1951 when Hall of Famers Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita were members.

Great series overall, but can we get a matchup next year with some goaltending?  Neither Niemi or Leighton were consistently good.  Now that the Hawks have won the Cup that leaves the Toronto Maple Leafs as the team with the longest drought at 43 who last won in the 1966-67 season.  Don't think Leafs fans won't remind GM Brian Burke of that.

Chicago Tribune Gets Laugh At Pronger's Expense

The Chicago Tribune released the above poster in the June 9th edition of their paper.  Pronger was asked about the poster during a media session and reportedly responded "I don't read what you guys write.  Good or bad."  For those that might not be able to see the print the poster reads as follows:

Chrissy Pronger:  Looks like Tarzan, skates like Jane
-4 Plus/Minus in 3 Hawks wins
-5 Plus/Minus in Game 5
100% Chance we'll change our minds if Hawks sign him

Kind of a low blow on the part of the Tribune who are probably as desperate to sell papers as every other newspaper in the country nowadays.  But perhaps it's justified after Pronger's theft of game winning pucks in Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

"Big 4" To Make Metal History

On June 22, 2010 the "Big 4" which includes: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth & Anthrax, will simulcast a concert worldwide. Headbangers around the globe have been dreaming of a metal concert bill of this magnitude, and now they have it....at their local movie theater. Those of us who aren't fortunate enough to be in Europe for this string of shows will now at least be able to see it via satellite in a theater setting. This will take place 06/22/10 at 07:30 pm et. Follow this link to find a theater near you: http://www.thebigfourlive.com/. There hasn't been any official word if this tour will come to the USA, so this may be your only chance to catch this event! I know it won't beat being there, but to experience it on the big screen in HD with 5.1 surround sound isn't all that bad either....

Ex-NHL Player Pat Verbeek Hired As Lightning Pro Scout

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that former NHL winger Pat Verbeek has been hired as a pro scout.  Verbeek, age 46, spent the past 4 seasons as a scout with the Detroit Red Wings. 

The "Little Ball of Hate" as Verbeek was affectionately known during his NHL career, played for 5 different teams over a 20 year career amassing 522 goals and a total of 1,063 points.  Verbeek is the only player in NHL history to score 500 career goals and earn 2,500 penalty minutes.

Looks like the new Lightning moniker of "Red Wings South" is alive and well with yet another Wings staff member defecting to Tampa.  If Verbeek can perform the way Wings scouts have historically, then Tampa will be in good shape for future player development.

RUSH: Beyond The Lighted Stage

"Whaaaaaaat?!" Am I seeing this right? A RUSH documentary? Apparently, there ARE some people out there who still appreciate this band. Whether you like them or not, you can't deny their legacy and contribution to music they've put forth over the last 40 years. Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage, will hit theaters nationwide on 06/10. The vast majority of the theaters will be having only 1 showing. Follow this link for the showings closest to you http://www.dandeentertainment.com/rushmovie/.

This movie will explore the beginnings of Rush in the late 60's, and continue on throughout the storied career of these rock pioneers. Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen are the directors, who have already received critical acclaim for their work on Iron Maiden's "Flight 666" documentary.

Fellow music colleagues will add commentary including the likes of: Gene Simmons, Kirk Hammett, Trent Reznor, Les Claypool, and Mike Portnoy among others. It's about time that this power trio garner the spotlight it has deserved for decades. Rush will also be embarking on a North American tour this summer beginning in Albuquerque, NM on 06/29. You do not want to miss this show as they will be playing their timeless classic 'Moving Pictures', in its entirety. Check for tour dates here on Rush's website: http://www.rush.com/v4.html.

Geddy, Alex and Neil are music thoroughbreds who have stood the test of time. They are masters of their instruments who have influenced many of today's accomplished musicians. They continue to tour to sold out arenas around the world and are getting ready to release their 20th (yes, that says 20th) studio album. There's only 1 lingering question....WHY IS THIS BAND NOT IN THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME?!!

Memo To Bud Selig: Baseball Needs A New Commissioner

Call me crazy, but I think that if baseball had the technology during the late 1800's to determine balls and strikes as well as instant replay for tags that they would have employed that usage versus appointing an umpire.

"It's part of the human element!" the purists say.

It's no secret to anyone watching baseball right now that umpiring has come under some serious scrutiny.  Several episodes with my local favorite Tampa Bay Rays come to mind alone with calls so bad that even the normally mellow Joe Maddon had a bone to pick with the hallowed purveyors of the MLB rulebook.

But the real travesty occurred yesterday against Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga who was denied a perfect game - one of the rarest occasions in Major League Baseball (though not this year apparently) - due to a missed call by umpire Jim Joyce.  To Joyce's credit he immediately owned up to the mistake after the game displaying a humbled grace so rarely found in umpires that make mistakes of that nature.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig had an opportunity to make things right by overruling the admittedly bad ruling by Joyce, but instead went into the standard, obsolete protectionist mode that he always does.  The Ye Olde King of all that needs to be changed in baseball. 

Mr. Selig would respond in the following way:  "Given last night's calls and other recent events,.." ehem, several Rays games, the recent White Sox debacle, etc. "..I will explore our umpiring system, the expanded use of instant replay and all other related features."

Selig went on to acknowledge that the game should have ended differently for Galarraga, but that the outcome of the game would not be changed.  So in other words, the esteemed Commish will sandbag on the issue, likely initiate some halfhearted rule amendment a la the Luxury Tax, and continue to pursue business as usual in the MLB.

Business as usual that has become counterproductive for baseball.  Every popular team sport in North America has some form of a salary cap and uses instant replay.  All...except baseball.  Baseball fans often spout hatred regarding the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox because of their repeated success in Free Agency through bloated contracts that small market teams won't pay.  Is it really those teams' fault though?  If Selig employed the salary cap that every other league has realized is needed in order for parity then quite obviously those teams would no longer spend in that capacity.

Technology can no longer be ignored either.  Why bicker over strikes and balls when we have a machine that does it better than any human being could possibly do?  It's not as if a Home Plate Umpire would become obsolete.  He would still be needed to call tags and could even be used to voice each call to retain the so-called "human element" the purists espouse.  Why not solve the problem with a readily available solution rather than fighting the good fight against tradition long past it's purpose?

The game of baseball shouldn't involve success going to the highest bidder, have the outcome of a game determined by a mistake that could be avoided through accessible technology, or worse yet influenced by an umpire long past his prime with an apparent axe to grind.  Over the years we've seen the lot of these results which have left a collective bad taste in far too many baseball fans' mouths.

It's time for baseball to change and apparently the current Commissioner is not capable of initiating what many fans want.  Now, more than ever baseball needs to adapt as the entertainment dollar for the average American has become more of a scarcity.  If a sports fan becomes disenchanted often he will find another team sport to support.  It might be time for the owners in the MLB to replace Bud Selig before baseball finds itself losing even more credibility which could ultimately effect it's marketability.

Flyers Bring In The Welcoming Committee In 4-3 OT Victory

The Chicago Blackhawks finally saw production from star forwards Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals, but the Philadelphia Flyers' home crowd seemed to help them gel as a unit to earn a must win in a series they now find themselves down 2 games to 1.  Kane earned a goal and assist for his efforts as he darted about finding time and space in the offensive zone for the first time in the series.

The Hawks dominated much of the first and second period with Kane seemingly scoring the game winner in giving Chicago a 3-2 lead with 17:10 remaining in the third.  The Flyers would immediately rebound with a goal from forward Ville Leino just 60 seconds later in a defensive breakdown from the Blackhawks.  Defensive struggles would ensue from that point forth as the Flyers dominated the remainder of the third and virtually all of overtime.

Two of the underlying themes of the game would be video goal reviews and broken sticks.  The Flyers would see two potential goals reviewed by replay earning 1 goal out of the 2 as Chicago goaltender Antti Niemi deftly plucked a possible score off the goal line only to give up the eventual game winner to young Flyers forward Claude Giroux immediately afterward. Giroux's line dominated much of the game with sharp play from forward Ville Leino as well.  Giroux would earn star of the game earning 1 goal and 2 assists.

The Flyers appear to have taken much of the momentum back from Chicago in a well played physical win.  The broken sticks were ridiculous throughout however.  I like a good graphite stick as much as the next casual hockey player, but I must have counted 7 or 8 breaks throughout Game 3.  And some were at crucial times!  Hawks defensemen Duncan Keith had one snap during a breakout pass and Niklas Kjallmarsson broke one defending a puck on a 1 on 1 rush.

Say what you want about the old school Sherwood and Titan sticks from the 80's, but you didn't ever see those break!

So what do you guys think about Game 4?  Do the Flyers even the series or does Chicago find a way to take some momentum back?

4-Color Pick Of The Week

Thunderbolts #144

Writer:  Jeff Parker

Artist:  Kev Walker

Colors:  Frank Martin
 
Cover Artist:  Marko Djurdjevic

Publisher:  Marvel

Cover Price:  $2.99

Release Date:  5/26/2010



For the past several years the Thunderbolts series has had its ups and downs with the most memorable run occurring under Warren Ellis' pen from issues #110-121.  Current writer Jeff Parker took over the title starting in issue #138 and did an admirable job of writing with an inherited lineup from previous writers.  Parker would spend the next 7 issues wrapping up loose ends under Marvel's Dark Reign storyline which then led directly into the mini event Siege.

Now that Siege has come to a close, Parker is seemingly writing Thunderbolts with a team of his choosing keeping two members from the most recent lineup in Moonstone and the enigmatic Ghost.  "Reformed" past members Songbird and the newly renamed Mach V rejoin as well as the two wild cards in the unstoppable Juggernaut and Crossbones who finds himself sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in the murder of Captain America.

Ironically, the man behind this new version of the Thunderbolts is the recently-deceased-then-revived ex-Captain America, Steve Rogers.  Rogers uses his new position as leader of SHIELD to appoint Luke Cage AKA Power Man to head this new T-Bolts squad with the central theme of the issue being about redemption.

I'll stop there with the story description so as not to ruin it for anyone wanting to read the issue, but Thunderbolts #144 is an excellent jumping on point for new readers as the team establishes a clear new direction with new members yet alludes enough about past events to bring someone new to the book up to speed on past events.  New artist Kev Walker brings an edgier look to the title with his bold costume redesigns.  His unique style brings a frenetic energy to each page that coupled with Parker's engaging tale shows real promise for future issues.

For anyone looking to pick up something new to read this comes highly recommended.

9 / 10 Rating

Pronger The Puck Pilferer

Goaltending Proves To Be Chicago's "Antti"-dote Against Loss In Game 2

Chicago- Goaltending proved to be the surprising theme in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals as the Chicago Blackhawks topped the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 to take a 2-0 series lead.  The first period was played with a defensive tempo as the Hawks would outshoot the Flyers 9-3.

The second period was decidedly different as each team would trade offensive surges throughout.  Chicago would score 2 goals in a 28 second span from forwards Marian Hossa and Ben Eager respectively.  For Hossa, it was just his 3rd goal of the playoffs yet it was also his 3rd point in the first 2 games of the finals (1G 2A 3PTS).  The line of Hossa-Brouwer-Sharp proved to be a handful for the Flyers defense at various times throughout the first two periods.

Philadelphia took the game over in the third period outshooting Chicago 15-4.  Flyers forward Simon Gagne scored his 8th goal of the playoffs on a power play 5:20 into the period to rally his team.

After the goal, Blackhawks goaltender Antti Niemi stole the show by bailing out his defense with one acrobatic save after another earning 32 saves on the night.  The Flyers put their faith back in goalie Michael Leighton after pulling him in Game 1 for allowing 5 goals on 20 shots.  Leighton would reward Flyers Coach Peter Laviolette's decision to start him by turning away 24 of 26 shots.

The Blackhawks have now won 7 straight playoff games and 10 of their last 11.  Hawks superstar forwards Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were both held pointless for the second straight game.

Should He Stay Or Should He Go (LBJ)?

For those of you who have never been or lived in Cleveland Ohio you may not be aware of the potential impact of Lebron James free agency. The city and its people are terrified that he will leave. It's not just about bringing the elusive championship back to Cleveland after a VERY long hiatus, it's about money. For Dan Gilbert who owns the Cavs it means the difference between his team being worth $400 million or $250 million, dollars that is. One man makes the team worth $150 million more, any wonder he gets a max contract with max years?

Lets talk about the impact to the city and its economy now. The Mayor, Frank Jackson has been quoted talking to the impact, he projects a 20 to 30% decrease in the downtown areas business if LBJ leaves. Now I have not done the math nor care too but that sounds like a bunch of money to me. Anyone aware of the financial situation in Cleveland? I'll lay a hint on you , it's awful!!! So now the city would have less incoming money and zero hopes of a championship run. Lets face it , Holmgren will need at least 3-5 years to undo what the prior GM did and the Tribe sells players off faster than an Enron officer selling stock before the fall.

So why would the King come back, that was my real point before I went off on a tangent. I believe that the era of needing to be in big markets such as NY, LA or Chicago is over. We use this new device called the Internet for all of our news, heck this blog will be on my phone when I hit submit. Lets say I'm wrong for the naysayer's point of view, the Cavs are owned partly by JianHua Huang out of China, the worlds largest market. He is the same man who also brokered a deal with the dreaded Yanks, yeah he knows what sells. So this large market deal is covered either way.

Let's talk about the important stuff, money. The maximum amount of money a player can sign for is contingent on the number of years that player has played and the total of the salary cap. The maximum salary of a player with 6 or fewer years of experience is $9,000,000 or 25% of the total salary cap (2009-10: $14,472,500). For a player with 7–9 years of experience, the maximum is $11,000,000 or 30% of the cap (2009-10: $17,310,000), and for a player with 10+ years of experience, the maximum is $14,000,000 or 35% of the cap (2008-2009: $20,195,000).

Perhaps the most well-known of the NBA's salary cap exceptions, it is so named because the Celtics were the first team permitted to exceed the salary cap to re-sign one of their own players (in that case, Larry Bird). Free agents who qualify for this exception are called "qualifying veteran free agents" or "Bird Free Agents" in the CBA, and this exception falls under the auspices of the Veteran Free Agent exception. In essence, the Larry Bird exception allows teams to exceed the salary cap to re-sign their own free agents, at an amount up to the maximum salary. This means an additional $30 Million over the entire length of the deal for the King, if money is important to him? He once was quoted as saying he wants to be as rich a Warren Buffet.

With all of this money talk I'd like to switch gears. Lebron loves his family, friends and the city he grew up in. He has won two MVP's and he celebrated the first in his high school and the second at the place where he played in the states for his high school team. He has an enormous house in Akron, built to his needs. Mom, wife and children live there. He talks of the pains of growing up in Cleveland and not winning it all, he knows how chumps like you and I feel. What I am trying to summarize here is loyalty.

I do want to address his other suitors. The Nets with Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov along with long time LBJ friend Jay-Z want the King bad , no doubt. Here's the problem, they stink and need 2 or 3 other legit players to make a serious run. I was terrified about the Bulls taking a run at him, good nucleus with Rose, Noah, Lang and crew. If they could have got Phil Jackson I thought they'd have an edge, unfortunately for them he said no interest all ready. The real dagger comes from D. Wade saying "the Bulls are not loyal to their players." This may have turned off more than Bron. The Clippers, I will not even answer to this. Terrible franchise with cheap owners will not do it for LBJ. The Mavs have a serious owner but I can't see Dirk leaving and LBJ coming. That means LBJ picks up Dirk's nightmares, let's face it the Cavs are closer.

So...tell me where you think he goes and why? I say he stays in Cleveland for a max contract and before it's over he gets 1 ring minimum. If they can lure Phil Jackson, insert the triangle offense and maybe get a point guard that can distribute the ball I like their chances.

Interviewing With Yzerman: The Rumored Short List Of Lightning Coaches

Most fans in the hockey world are aware by now that Hall of Fame Center Steve Yzerman has been hired as General Manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.  A hiring on the part of new Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik that has met with approval in the hockey community thus far.  Whether the pedigree of the great "Stevie Y" the player will translate to an equally great GM remains to be seen, but there's no questioning the tutelage he's studied under in Detroit.

With the announcement of a GM, Tampa fans now look to their newfound architect anxiously awaiting the nomination of a Head Coach.  Yzerman has stated he is not afraid to think outside the box on his decision, seemingly indicating he will forego the usual veteran coaching suspects for a coach with little to no NHL head coaching experience.  Since Yzerman's fateful May 25th hiring the rumored short list of coaching prospects appears to be the following:

Kevin Dineen - Dineen (Age-46) is rumored to be of interest to both the Lightning and the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Dineen hails from a hockey family with two brothers and a father that also have NHL experience.  Kevin was a captain on several NHL squads and even played under his own father Bill when he was coaching the Philadelphia Flyers in 1992-93.

Dineen is a close friend of Yzerman, and is a successful American Hockey League coach with a record of 219-131-50 behind the bench for the Portland Pirates.  His Pirates teams have advanced to the finals twice.

Guy Boucher - 2009-2010 was Boucher's (Age-38) rookie season as an AHL Head Coach with the Hamilton Bulldogs.  Boucher went on to win the Pieri Memorial Award for coach of the year.  Hired by the Montreal Canadiens after coaching success in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Boucher led a Bulldogs squad that was often depleted by player assignments to Montreal to a 52-17-11 record.  His squad lost 4 games to 3 in the conference finals.  Boucher attended McGill University earning a degree in History and a graduate in Sports Psychology.

Scott Arniel - Arniel (Age-47) has coached the AHL Manitoba Moose for the past 4 seasons winning the Pieri Memorial Award for coach of the year in 2008-2009.  Arniel, who played 11 seasons in the NHL, later went on to become an assistant coach in the minors before earning a stint as an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres from 2002-2006.  Arniel has compiled a solid record of 181-106-33 as coach of the Moose taking his squad to the finals once.

Gerard Gallant - Gallant (Age-46) is also a close friend of Yzerman having played 10 seasons with him in Detroit.  Gallant spent 2 seasons as an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets prior to his midseason promotion to Head Coach in the 2003-2004 season after Doug MacLean stepped aside to assume full time GM duties.  Gallant would coach the Jackets for just 147 games earning a record of 56-81-6 before he was replaced by Ken Hitchcock in the middle of the 2006-2007 season.

Gallant went on to become an assistant coach with the New York Islanders from 2007-2009 before taking a head coaching position in the QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs for their 2009-2010 season.  Gallant led his squad to their first President's Cup Final and earned a league high 109 points in the regular season.  He was also named 2010 Canadian Hockey League coach of the year.

Mike Haviland - Haviland (Age-42) was an East Coast Hockey League Head Coach with Atlantic City from 2001-2004 guiding the team to 3 straight playoff appearances with a championship in the 2002-2003 season.  He then went on to coach ECHL Trenton to a championship in 2004-2005.

Haviland compiled an impressive record of 172-81-35 as an ECHL Head Coach before moving on to run the bench as an AHL Head Coach with the Norfolk Admirals from 2005-2007 and with the Rockford IceHogs in the 2007-2008 season.  He compiled a coaching record of 137-77-26 in the AHL which led to his current hiring as Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach since 2008.

Haviland is often credited with the development of Hawks forward Dustin Byfuglien who made the position change from defense to wing a few seasons ago.

Other rumored prospects include various Detroit Red Wings assistant coaches though these names seem less likely especially since Yzerman has hinted that he would rather not poach from the Wings organization.

So who do you think should be the next Lightning Head Coach?

Kopecky Scores Game Winner In Sloppy 6-5 Chicago Victory

Tomas Kopecky filled in for injured Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Ladd in a big way scoring the game winning goal in the 3rd period.  The Kopecky-Versteeg-Bolland line buzzed around the Flyers defensive zone all night pursuing loose pucks and playing well along the boards.  Each forward on the line would earn a goal and assist for their efforts in a 6-5 Chicago victory.

Goaltending and defensive miscues were the central theme throughout most of Game 1 of the 2009-2010 Stanley Cup Finals.  Flyers goalie Michael Leighton seemed to have difficulty following the puck in giving up 5 goals on just 20 shots.  Brian Boucher recovered from injury just in time to fill in for Leighton allowing 1 goal on 12 shots.  Blackhawks tender Antti Niemi had his own lapses taking bad angles and dropping low in the net too often.  A trait that the skilled Flyers offense took advantage of throughout the 1st and 2nd period.

The Hawks defense struggled with breakout passes and coverage throughout the first two periods.  Philadelphia defenseman Chris Pronger mixed it up with physical Blackhawks forward Dustin Byfuglien frequently as the Toews-Kane-Byfuglien were held pointless at game end.  Flyers center Danny Briere played like a man possessed posting 1 goal and 3 assists while also backchecking effectively.  Flyers forwards Ville Leino and Scott Hartnell crashed the net and put pucks in front of the crease.

Hawks winger Marian Hossa is looking to make his third Finals appearance the charm with determined play that earned him two assists.  His linemate Troy Brouwer posted 2 goals both of which were lightning quick one timers on some deft passes.  Brouwer would also chip in an assist for a 3 point game.

Overall it was a physical game between two teams that didn't seem to settle in until the 3rd period.  Some Stanley Cup jitters were evident on both squads, but that should improve with the experience behind the bench for these teams.

So who does Philly start in between the pipes for Game 2 Monday night?

Will we see another pond hockey special or will we see better defensive coverage next game?

Blackhawks Seek To End 49 Year Drought

1961.  The last time the city of Chicago could claim Stanley Cup Champion as their title.  Rudy Pilous would go on to coach his Hawks squad to a 4-2 series win against Sid Abel's Detroit Red Wings.  The only time in the 25 year existence of the Original Six Era that a team other than Montreal, Detroit, or Toronto would win.

Tonight in Chicago, the Blackhawks seek to end their 49 year drought against a Philadelphia Flyers team that hasn't won in 35 years (1974-75).  It will be the first time in NHL history the two teams have met in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Neither team has been in the Finals since the 90's.  Meanwhile it's the third straight season that Hawks forward Marian Hossa has advanced to the Finals for his third team (though he has yet to actually win one).  For Philly defenseman Chris Pronger this makes a 3rd Finals appearance in the last 5 years.

Team Breakdown:

Scoring:  The Flyers have more depth at Center, but the Hawks have significantly more depth and experience at Wing.  Jeff Carter's (GP-6 G-4 A-1 Pts.-5) return was a big factor in Philly's Eastern Conference series win against Montreal while the phenomenal play of Jonathan Toews (GP-16 G-7 A-19 Pts.-26) helped the Hawks steamroll through San Jose in the Western Conference Finals.  RW Marian Hossa needs to step his game up with only 2 goals in 16 games.

Edge:  Chicago

Defense:   Philly's Chris Pronger has put up stout numbers offensively (GP-17 G-4 A-10 Pts.-14), but was defensively suspect at times against Montreal.  Braydon Coburn, Kimmo Timonen, and Matt Carle have all put up excellent plus-minus numbers throughout the playoffs.  Duncan Keith has been a beast for the Blackhawks doing whatever it takes to stop shots including taking a puck to his teeth.  Brent Seabrook and Brent Sopel have played well as has the surprising Niklas Kjalmarsson, but Brian Campbell has failed to live up to his offensive billing thus far with only 3 assists in 16 games.  Philly just seems to have a little more depth.

Edge:  Philadelphia

Goaltending:  Flyers goalie Brian Boucher returns in time to play backup to a hot hand in Michael Leighton who boasts an astounding .945 save percentage in 8 games posting 3 shutouts while filling in for Boucher due to injury.  Chicago goalie Antti Niemi (GP-16 G.A.A.-2.33 Sv Pct.-.921) played a large role in the Hawks dispatching San Jose with several acrobatic puck stopping displays.  What Leighton's stats don't indicate were the lack of genuine quality scoring opportunities against as the Flyers defense consistently kept Montreal's forwards on the perimeter.

Edge:  Chicago

Coaching:  Flyers coach Peter Laviolette leads his second squad to the Finals in the past 5 years.  Laviolette hoisted the cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2005-2006 and boasts a 32-22 Postseason record.  Hawks coach Joel Quenneville ought to understand that regular season success doesn't always equate to playoff success.  The "Q Stache" as Quenneville's affectionately known has compiled over 500 regular season victories yet this is the first time he's ever coached a team to the Finals.  He boasts a playoff record of 63-57.  Quenneville has the edge in experience while Laviolette is a proven Stanley Cup veteran.

Edge:  Even

Prediction:  The Hawks are firing on all cylinders after a slow start to the playoffs.  Hawks In Five.