2010 Stanley Cup Finals: Blackhawks Punch Their Ticket To the Dance!

On Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Blackhawks finished a stunning sweep of the San Jose Sharks. With the win, Chicago advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals .

Think about that. Let it sink in.

For the first time since 1992, when the current Blackhawks' captain was four years old, and the leading scorer was three, the Hawks are playing for the Stanley Cup.

It'd be easy to say Patrick Marleau was the only player who showed up for the top-seeded Sharks in the Western Conference Finals. He scored five of San Jose's seven goals in the series. But none of the games was a blow-out.

The Hawks had to fight for each of their four wins.

Chicago's depth ultimately killed San Jose in the series. Dave Bolland , who was instrumental in limiting the Sedins in the Vancouver series, played an enormous series while matching up against Joe Thornton.

Bolland had two goals and an assist, and was plus-three in the series. Thornton, meanwhile, had just one assist, and was minus-five in the series.

Depth has been a central theme for the Blackhawks throughout the playoffs. Bolland serves as the team's third line center, and has been a huge contributor. Perhaps the biggest impact, pun intended, has come from Dustin Byfuglien.

Consider the path Byfuglien took to get to this point. He was drafted in the eighth round, as a big defensemen, and broke into the NHL on the blue line. It wasn't until the 2007-08 season that former coach Denis Savard moved him to a forward position full-time.

Late this season, when the Blackhawks lost both Brian Campbell and Brent Seabrook to injuries, Byfuglien was moved back to defense. He played well enough to stay on the blue line when the playoffs started. But, the Hawks were forced to bring Campbell back earlier than expected when the offense struggled against Nashville.

Since then, Byfuglien has been an absolute beast. He now leads the Blackhawks with eight playoff goals. A guy who had 17 goals in 82 games during the regular season has found the back of the net in five consecutive games, three of which were game-winners.

Look down the Blackhawks' post-season stat sheet, though. Where will the Eastern Conference Champion begin their game plan? Byfuglien, who is skating with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, might lead the team with eight goals. But Toews, Kane and Patrick Sharp have seven goals each.

Bolland has five goals, Kris Versteeg has four and Andrew Ladd has two on the Hawks' third line.

Sharp's seven have made up for Marian Hossa's continued shooting struggles. The Hawks big free agent acquisition has only two playoffs goals.

Tomas Kopecky and Troy Brouwer have been the third members of that line this postseason, with Brouwer playing the last five games. Those two have combined to score five postseason goals, as well.

The point is, the scoring is coming from everywhere for the Blackhawks.

Meanwhile, the defense has been solid in front of brick wall, Antti Niemi. Niemi is now 12-4 this postseason, and has a .921 save percentage.

The man who was supposed to be the team's Achilles' heel coming into the playoffs has covered the butts of the skaters in front of him on numerous occasions.

Chicago will now sit back, and enjoy the echoing chorus of "Chelsea Dagger," while the Eastern Conference determines their champion.

This has been a magical run in Chicago. The ride has just begun!

For more great coverage of the Western Conference Champion Chicago Blackhawks, check out Tab's blog: CommittedIndians.com!