For the Chicago Blackhawks, the Stanley Cup Is Theirs To Lose

Barring an epic catastrophe between now and the final horn of the final game, whether that is on Wednesday or on Friday, I cannot see the Chicago Blackhawks faltering in their quest to get their 16th win of the playoffs and hoist Lord Stanley's Cup.

Sure, the Flyers may be very much alive and have proven they can rebound after a disappointing loss in Chicago, but after Sunday night's Game Five, I cannot help but remain strong in my prediction that the Blackhawks will win the Cup.

What made me decide to stay on Chicago's side?

The Stars are Shining…Again

Some of the Hawks players that were criticized for being absent in Games Three and Four, or even during the whole series, came up big tonight.

Jonathan Toews had an assist on Dustin Byfuglien’s power play goal in the second period. He also continued to be solid in the faceoff circle, winning 58 percent of his 24 faceoffs.

Patrick Kane had a goal in the second period and teamed up with Patrick Sharp late in the third period to put the Hawks up 6-4.

Byfuglien also had a big night. Not only did he register a power play goal, he also sealed the victory at 17:55 of the third, when Brian Boucher was pulled for an extra attacker. He finished the night with four points and a plus-three rating.

Power Play

The Blackhawks' power play is finally starting to come around in the Finals. Their man advantage worked at a 50 percent rate on Suday night, converting two out of four power plays.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s power play, which has been one of their strengths this series, went scoreless on three opportunities.

If the Blackhawks can keep their power play going strong on Wednesday, it will give them good odds of beating the Flyers.

Leighton for Boucher

In Game One, Flyers goaltender Michael Leighton was pulled late in the second period after allowing five goals on 20 shots.

Tonight, his playing time came to an end after the first period when he allowed three goals on 13 shots.

Brian Boucher replaced Leighton both times. In Game One, he only gave up one goal on 12 Blackhawks shots after he came in with 4:42 to go in the second period.

Tonight was a different story for Boucher. He allowed three goals on 14 shots—which included awarding Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp with two points apiece.

The Blackhawks won in Game One when Boucher came in the game, and they did it again tonight.

At this point, I think it is safe to suggest that the Hawks have both Leighton and Boucher figured out.

Meanwhile, Niemi has yet to be pulled in this series. Although he has had some rough patches, he has stood strong during Flyers’ barrages at various points of the series. The Flyers will more than likely not have the chance to take shots on Blackhawks backup Cristobal Huet.

The Hawks definitely have a unique advantage not only by putting up tallies on both Flyers netminders, but also by letting Niemi carry the load and giving him more knowledge of how the Flyers generate shots on goal.

What Goes Around…

Well, you know the rest of that saying.

After the first period in Friday’s Game Four, the Flyers were well on their way to victory with a 3-1 lead. They put Chicago away with a scoreless second period and then two goals in the third, including an empty net goal from Jeff Carter at 19:35 of the third.

Tonight, the Hawks gave it back.

They took a 3-0 lead at the end of the opening frame. And although both teams scored two goals in the second and third periods, the Hawks found ways to get the goals and hold off some of the Flyers’ biggest weapons.

For example, Claude Giroux, who had a combined four points in Games Three and Four, including the Game Three overtime winner, had a minus-four rating tonight.  

Chris Pronger, who had a combined plus-six rating from the last two games, as well as four shots between Games Three and Four, registered only one shot tonight and finished with a minus-five rating.

We saw what Philadelphia could do when guys like Kane and Toews were ineffective for Chicago.

But the Blackhawks showed that they are just as capable of shutting down the Flyers’ key players.

Summary

When the series shifts back to Wachovia Center on Wednesday, the Flyers can very well learn from tonight and put on another show in front of their hometown fans.

But just like the Flyers wouldn’t go away with wins in Games Three and Four that made many wonder if Chicago could get back in the series, the Hawks did not let Philly take over tonight.

Both teams have come this far, but just as in every sports championship, there can only be one winner.

I definitely give the Flyers a lot of credit for their accomplishments in these playoffs. Even though they are my most hated team, they have done some remarkable things.

As a Penguins fan, giving Philadelphia credit is one of the hardest things for me to do.

But at this point, it is what it is.

By comparison, it is just as hard for me to see Chicago losing the Cup.