The 2010 Stanley Cup Finals Preview

The Stanley Cup will return to a city rich in hockey tradition this year. Though both the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers have won hockey’s most coveted chalice in the past, Lord Stanley has not been in the possession of either franchise for a combined 82 years. Philadelphia is looking for their first championship since the days of the “Broad Street Bullies” in the 1970’s while Chicago has been waiting 11 years before Bobby Hull jumped ship to join the World Hockey Association in 1972. Each team has made the finals five times each in their quest for another cup but came up short each time. One team will finally win it, leaving the other city with a continual search for a hockey champion.

After capturing the cup in 1961, Chicago fell short the following season to the Toronto Maple Leafs who would capture their first of three consecutive Stanley Cups. The next three times Chicago’s attempt fell short to the Montreal Canadiens. In 1965, the home team won every game in the finals as long-time New York Ranger Gump Worsley, in his first season with Montreal, blanked the Blackhawks 4-0 in game seven. Chicago got their rematch with Montreal in 1971. Chicago won the West Division while Montreal ended up in third place in the east. The series marked the last games of the legendary career of Jean Beliveau but it was a Montreal rookie, Ken Dryden, who stole the show and led the Habs to an upset victory in seven games. Chicago took game six to go up 3-2 heading back to Montreal but a 4-3 victory set up the decisive game in Chicago. The Blackhawks took a 2-0 lead in Game Seven but Jacques Lemaire started the Habs comeback with a goal from just beyond the center line to cut the lead in half in the second period. Two goals by Henri Richard gave Montreal another Stanley Cup. Chicago earned a rematch in 1973 but fell once again, this time in six games. It would be 19 years until the Blackhawks would have another opportunity to win the Stanley Cup and this time it was not against Montreal. However, another French Canadian dashed their hopes as Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins swept Chicago for their second straight championship.

After battling their way to two Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975, the Flyers were derailed from their quest for a third consecutive championship in 1976 when Montreal swept the two-time defending champs to begin yet another dynasty for “Le Bleu, Blanc et Rouge.” Four years later, Philadelphia would be at the wrong end of the beginning of another dynasty. After compiling the league’s best record which included a 35 game unbeaten streak, a record which still stands today, the Flyers took on the New York Islanders where in Game Six of the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals, Bobby Nystrom’s overtime goal propelled the Islanders to their first of four consecutive Stanley Cups. The Flyers went up against the next NHL dynasty, the Edmonton Oilers in both 1985 and 1987. After beating the Oilers on home ice in Game One, Wayne Gretzky led Edmonton to four consecutive wins against the leagues top point-getter in 1985. The rematch in 1987 looked similar with Edmonton once again taking a 3-1 lead, but the Flyers stayed alive with two wins by one goal. However, Jari Kurri’s second period goal in Game Seven clinched the series for Edmonton. It would take the Flyers 10 seasons to reach the Stanley Cup Finals again. After a lackluster start to the 1990’s, the acquisition of Eric Lindros helped raise Philadelphia to the top of the pack once more as the team won the Eastern Conference. However, Philadelphia only managed six goals in four games as the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 42 years.

This time there is no dynasty to stand in the way of either team or as history has shown, this year may mark the beginning of a new one. Chicago enters as the favorites, finishing second in the Western Conference. Philadelphia struggled throughout the regular season but got their act together in the playoffs which included a stunning 0-3 comeback against Boston in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Let’s look at some storylines for this year’s series.

Who are these guys?

Goaltender is the most important position in hockey hands down. This year’s finals match a journeyman against an undrafted rookie. Michael Leighton, a sixth round draft pick by the Blackhawks in 1999, is between the pipes for Philadelphia pretty much because he is the last man standing. An injury to Ray Emery gave the starting job to Leighton. When Leighton got hurt at the end of the regular season Brian Boucher got the Flyers into the playoffs. Boucher backstopped the Flyers to a first round victory over the New Jersey Devils before he got hurt in the second round against Boston. Leighton held off Boston in Game Six then won Game 7 before proceeding to shut out Montreal in Games One, Two and Four to send Philadelphia back to the finals. Two years ago, Leighton played for Albany in the AHL and is an improbable netminder to be in the Stanley Cup Finals. In two seasons in Chicago (2002-03, 2003-04), Leighton posted a record of 8-21-10 with a 2.32 GAA and a .907 save percentage.

Rookie Antti Niemi is in goal for Chicago. After three seasons in his native Finland, the Blackhawks took a chance and have been rewarded. Niemi has won 12 of 16 playoff games while boasting a .920 save percentage. After splitting time in the regular season with veteran Critobal Huet, Niemi was given the nod in the playoffs where he is looking to be the first Chicago goaltender since the legendary Glenn Hall to bring the cup to the Windy City.

Third times a charm

Marian Hossa is back in the Stanley Cup Finals for the third year in a row with his third different team. After playing at over a point per game pace in the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hossa signed with Detroit hoping to capture the cup last year. He wound up on the losing end as his former team beat the Red Wings in the rematch last year. Hossa has only two goals in 16 playoff games in 2010. Will this be his year?

He’s back too

Chris Pronger has been called the dirtiest player in the NHL which means he fits right in in Philadelphia. The veteran defenseman has proven to be a force in the post-lockout era in the playoffs, especially for low-seeded teams. After leading the eighth-seeded Edmonton Oilers to a Game 7 loss in the 2006 finals, Pronger signed with Anaheim who he helped to the cup in 2007. Last year, Pronger helped the eighth-seeded Ducks to a first round victory over the President’s Trophy winning San Jose Sharks before being beaten in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals by eventual conference winner Detroit last season. Pronger is at it again with the seventh-seeded Flyers. Pronger already has more goals than he did in the 2007 playoffs and is one point away from his total from those playoffs.

Top two picks square off

In 2007, Chicago and Philadelphia held the top two picks in the NHL Entry Draft. Three years later they are meeting in the finals. The two franchises made history by drafting two American-born players first and second overall. First overall selection Patrick Kane has been unbelievable for the Blackhawks. He has 34 points including 16 goals in 32 playoff games as he helped Chicago back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Kane is now in his third season while second overall selection James Van Riemsdyk is a rookie. Van Riemsdyk played two seasons for the University of New Hampshire before turning pro. He posted 15 goals and 20 assists as a rookie and has contributed two goals and two assists in the playoffs. Interestingly, Kane and Van Riemsdyk were teammates with Team USA U-18 in 2005-06.

We’re Number One

Three players in this year’s finals have hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup. Chicago forward John Madden won it twice with the New Jersey Devils first in 2000 and again in 2003. Madden also won a national championship in college as a member of the 1996 Michigan Wolverines. Chris Pronger won the cup with Anaheim in 2007 and Chicago forward Tomas Kopecky won it with Detroit in 2008 though an ACL injury prevented him from competing in the playoffs. Philadelphia’s Matt Carle is a two time national champion accomplishing the feat with the University of Denver in 2004 and 2005.

Like Madden Philadelphia captain Mike Richards has captured championships in two different leagues. He led the Kitchener Rangers to a Memorial Cup victory in 2003 and was a member of the Philadelphia Phantoms when they won the Calder Cup in 2005. Jeff Carter, Ben Eager and Patrick Sharp were on the Phantoms as well though Eager and Sharp now play for Chicago. Philadelphia forward Blair Betts won the Calder Cup with the Saint John Flames in 2001. Chicago’s Dave Bolland is the only other player to win the Memorial Cup. He did it with the London Knights in 2005. Blackhawk Adam Burish was a member of the Wisconsin Badgers for their national championship victory in 2006.

Nashville to Philadelphia

The Nashville Predators have churned out many decent players over the years. Scott Hartnell played his first six seasons in Nashville while defenseman Kimmo Timonen’s tenure with the Predators lasted seven years. Both signed six year deals with the Flyers before the 2007-08 season. Defenseman Ryan Parent was drafted by Nashville but his only action with the team came in the form of 10 playoff games with AHL affiliate the Milwaukee Admirals who lost in the Calder Cup Finals to the Hershey Bears in 2006. He arrived in Philadelphia as part of the Peter Forsberg trade.

Remember where you came from

The CHL has produced the most amount of talent. A total of 29 players laced up their skates in either the Ontario, Quebec or Western hockey leagues. The WHL leads the way with 14 players, nine of whom play for Chicago. Philadelphia’s biggest draw is from the OHL where they have seven of the total 11 players from that league. Philadelphia has four players from the QMJHL while Chicago has none. The Blackhawks lead the way with six players who played in the NCAA. Three players with college experience are on the Flyers.

A season to forget

After 10 straight seasons recording over 90 points including hitting triple digits seven times, the Flyers had a hiccup in 2006-07 finishing with the worst record in the NHL and in franchise history. Despite the setback, deadline trades and free agent signings boosted Philadelphia’s stock as they are yet to miss the playoffs since. Peter Forsberg was traded to Nashville in exchange for Scottie Upshall (now with the Phoenix Coyotes), Ryan Parent and Nashville’s first and third round picks in 2007. The Flyers shipped veteran defenseman Alexei Zhitnik south to Atlanta in exchange for Braydon Coburn. Daniel Briere was signed in the offseason to help boost scoring.

These guys are good

On the two active rosters, nearly half of the players were drafted in the first round. Philadelphia boasts 12 first-rounders while Chicago has seven. Half of the Flyers 12 first-rounders were drafted by the franchise while the others were either free agents or products of a trade. Of the Flyers’ players drafted in the first round, three of them, Braydon Coburn (8th by Atlanta) Jeff Carter (11th), and Mike Richards (24th) were drafted in 2003. The 22 and 24 slots each have three players suiting up for Philadelphia. Brian Boucher (1995), Simon Gagne (1998) and Claude Giroux (2006) were each taken number 22 overall while Richards, Daniel Briere (1996 by Phoenix) and Lucas Krajicek (2001 by Florida) were selected 24th. Philadelphia’s only undrafted player is Darroll Powe. Blackhawks forward John Madden and defenseman Jordan Hendry were not selected either.

Rock you like a Hurricane

The WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes have the most players of any junior team competing in this years’ finals. The Blackhawks have three Lethbridge Hurricanes on their team. Defenseman Brent Seabrook and forward Kris Versteeg, a Lethbridge native, played for the Hurricanes together for three seasons from 2002-05. Forward Tomas Kopecky was a teammate of Seabrook’s in Lethbridge in 2001-02. The WHL’s Portland Winter Hawks, Prince George Cougars and Red Deer Rebels each have two alumni playing in the Stanley Cup Finals as do the OHL’s London Knights and Peterborough Petes.

They were big in 2003

The 2003 NHL Entry Draft produced seven players that will be competing for the Stanley Cup this year including four first round selections. Both Jeff Carter (11th) and Mike Richards (24th) were taken by the Flyers in the first round. Braydon Coburn (8th) was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers while Chicago’s first round selection Brent Seabrook (14th) is the only 2003 first round pick with the Blackhawks. The Flyers boast a total of five players from the 2003 draft on their roster including defenseman Matt Carle (Round 2, 47th by San Jose) and forward Daniel Carcillo (Round 3, 73rd by Pittsburgh). The Blackhawks took power forward Dustin Byfuglien in the eighth round, 245th overall.

Broad Street Bullies

The Flyers had four players reach over 100 penalty minutes during the regular season. Three of those players scored double-digit goals as well. Scott Hartnell (155 PIM) scored 14 goals, Daniel Carcillo (207 PIM) scored 12 times while Aaron Asham (126 (PIM) tallied 10 times. Only Ben Eager topped 100 penalty minutes with the Blackhawks. In parts of three seasons with the Flyers, Eager recorded 313 penalty minutes in 111 games.

Chicago vs. Philadelphia

The two teams have never met in the postseason but a Philadelphia team played a Chicago team five years ago during the lock-out season of 2004-05 for the Calder Cup in the AHL. The Philadelphia Phantoms, now the Adirondack Phantoms, beat Atlanta Thrashers affiliate the Chicago Wolves in four straight games. The final game took place in Philadelphia in the very same building this years’ Stanley Cup Finals will be played in in front of over 20,000 people.