Lets Get It On

By the time the first puck is finally dropped in the Stanley Cup Finals the Blackhawks might have enough pent-up energy to go through the boards.  Every player I talked to on Friday is jumping out of his skin itching to get these games under way. The Hawks last played on Sunday when they eliminated the Sharks and ever since they have either practiced, rested or answered dumb questions from the media. I mean how often can you answer the same question with any humor? Other then Adam Burrish (the human sound machine) the answer is...not often.

This upcoming series has so many story lines it's like a Hollywood script. The Hawks have been the media darlings all year and so far in the playoffs have eliminated three teams that accumulated 100 points in the regular season. They have seven players who performed in the Olympics including three that won gold medals. The Flyers have some pretty good stories themselves. They didn't get into the playoffs until the final game of the regular season and had to win a shootout against the Rangers to do so. They then topped themselves by coming from 3 games down and 3-0 in the 7th game to stun the Bruins.

Both teams seem to be peaking at the right time. Philadelphia had 24 points less then the Hawks in the regular season but are finally healthy and playing  better and better in each round of these playoffs. The Hawks meanwhile have won five straight games and seven straight on the road. The Hawks and Flyers are similar in lots of areas with maybe Philadelphia being a bit more rugged while the Hawks have more speed.

It should be a good series and a ratings bonanza what with two major markets involved and in this reporters opinion I have the Hawks winning in five games.