5 reasons to cheer for the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals

by Chris Burton on May 26, 2010 7:00 PM EDT

Look, I know. There's nothing that can be said or done that will take away the sting of the Predators' first round exit at the hands of Western Conference champions Chicago. Bear with me, though, as I run through five reasons why we want the Chicago Blackhawks to win the Stanley Cup:

Up to now in the Hawks' run, its pretty obvious that Chicago had more trouble dealing with the Predators than two supposed 'elite' teams in Vancouver and San Jose. I'd take a small measure of satisfaction in knowing that if the Blackhawks won the Cup, Nashville was the team that made it the hardest on them.
I understand that a lot of Predators fans will be on the Philadelphia bandwagon thanks to Michael Leighton, Ryan Parent, Kimmo Timonen, and Scott Hartnell all having suited up in Nashville blue at one point or another (excepting Parent who was just a prospect), but I'm not one of them. The Flyers ice Dan Carcillo and Chris Pronger, two of the league's more reprehensible characters. Hartnell and Timonen contributed to the franchise admirably, but we've since moved on. The Flyers aren't the 'Broad Street Bullies' for no reason. Anyone remember this?
Tying in somewhat to item one, a Blackhawks Cup victory would immediately make the NHL's Central Division its most difficult. The Central sent three teams to the playoffs this year with 100 or more points: Nashville, Detroit, and Chicago. Any success next season against Chicago for the Predators would instantly have more credibility.
As much as I dislike him, you have to admire Patrick Kane. Not anyone has the, ahem, Grebeshkovs, to forsake hockey tradition for a mullet. When was the last time we had business in the front and party in the back on a Stanley Cup photo?
Finally, because if the Hawks win, the boys over at Broad Street Hockey owe our pals at Second City Hockey some cheesesteaks. And no matter who or where you are, everyone needs more Philly cheesesteak.

So there are my reasons for wanting the Chicago Blackhawks to win the 2010 Stanley Cup. Who are you rooting for, and why?

Poll

Who are you cheering for in the 2009-10 Stanley Cup Finals?

Chicago Blackhawks

188 votes

Philadelphia Flyers

102 votes

290 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Uh, no.

Hossa on Hamhuis. Sopel on Erat. Kane on a cabbie over a couple of dimes. Reprehensible, all three. Go Flyers!

by LuvthePreds on May 26, 2010 7:45 PM EDT reply actions

I'm torn

As a rule of thumb I root for the west over the (l)east all the time (except for the Devils and Rangers, or if playoff position for the Preds is at stake). But I have an attachment to Philly. A lot of friends and family are Flyers fans. And van Reimsdyk is a bit of a local hero. I’m putting my weight behind the Flyers for this one. Should be fun to watch.

by jerseypredsfan on May 26, 2010 8:30 PM EDT reply actions

"Grebeshkovs"

I love it.

"Get to the Choppa!"

by PredHead on May 26, 2010 9:41 PM EDT reply actions

Not Salos?

Confusion will be my epitaph.

by krome on May 26, 2010 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Not at OtF! ;)

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins

by Chris Burton on May 26, 2010 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

flyers

are my favorite east team due to the influx of preds. im for the flyers but wont be horrified if the hawks win. after all they did knock off the nucks and sharks( my most and 3rd most hated teams) dallas ranks number 2.

by predswilrule on May 26, 2010 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

…Detroit?!

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins

by Chris Burton on May 26, 2010 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Hawks

I’m just glad they beat the Sharks. My fear was having a West coast team playing for the Stanley Cup. The fact that they were in the finals is bad enough.

Not that I have anything in particular against the West coast, but I’m getting old and live in the EDT. Those games are just on WAY too late for me!

TN Sports fan in Hoosier Country....

by Evanbio on May 27, 2010 7:26 AM EDT reply actions

c'mon Chris, were you rooting for Detroit in 2008, too???

No way I’m pulling for Chicago here. Frankly, I feel like Nashville — Chi-town is developing into almost as big a rivalry.
Luvthepreds gave some good reminders about Hossa and Sopel that we shouldn’t soon forget. Plus, no one in the league is giving any credence to the fact that we “put up the best fight” against the ‘Hawks (nor our 100pt season), and I don’t think they’ll suddenly start to if Chicago wins it all.
Pronger and Carcillo are d-bags, but I’m personally still faithful to Kimo and Hartnell (who has a better natural mullet-beard combo than anyone else in the league, especially babyface Kane).
Go Flyers.

by Broadwaybully on May 27, 2010 9:19 AM EDT reply actions