Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 Open Thread

by Dirk Hoag on May 29, 2010 7:30 PM EDT in Nashville Predators Game Threads

The Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers kick off the Stanley Cup Finals tonight at 7:00 p.m. Central (NBC). Jump into the comments below with your series predictions and in-game commentary...

The Combatants

vs.

As for me? I look at the Blackhawks as heavy favorites here. They had the most Shots For in the league, gave up the fewest Shots Against, and are getting solid goaltending from Antti Niemi. Try as I might, I just don't see an edge for Philadelphia in any significant aspect of this matchup. While I'd like to see Kimmo Timonen earn a Stanley Cup, the Blackhawks are just too good...

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I’ve got the Flyers in seven. As mentioned, I want the Hawks to win. I feel like Pronger/Carle/Timonen/Coburn are enough to slow the Chicago offense; and the Flyers can score with all lines. Jeff Carter is as good a goal scorer as there is in this series – he has to get hot.

Really, I flipped a coin, because its all on Leighton and Niemi. These teams are really even in forward depth and defense:

Jonathan Toews, meet Mike Richards. Two elite two way players.
Marian Hossa, meet Jeff Carter.
Patrick Kane, here’s Simon Gagne.
Patrick Sharp, Danny Briere.
Chris Pronger, Duncan Keith.
Brent Seabrook, Kimmo Timonen.

See?

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by Chris Burton on May 29, 2010 7:35 PM EDT reply actions

I’ll be interested to see how much Pronger can get away with. Even so, your comparison still leaves guts like Campbell, Bolland and Byfuglien left over.

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on May 29, 2010 8:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Agreed; Pronger will have to have some physical leeway in order to be most effective.

Giroux is probably better than Bolland in the offensive zone, while Matt Carle would be your Campbell comparison. As for annoying net presences, Scott Hartnell duh! ;)

On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
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by Chris Burton on May 29, 2010 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Really, though, its going to be close. I just like Philly’s intangibles right now. Wouldn’t shock me if it went either way.

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

by Chris Burton on May 29, 2010 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions

ah, i see you guys also have a “i’m bored, but the Stanley Cup Finals are on, so here’s a gamethread” post here.

Nucks Misconduct contributor.
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If only the Canucks were still in the playoffs around my 20th birthday....

by missy on May 29, 2010 7:47 PM EDT reply actions

Wow

That was one heck of a period. If they can keep this up it’s gonna be a great series.

"Get to the Choppa!"

by PredHead on May 29, 2010 9:06 PM EDT reply actions

These goalies aren’t exactly impressing anyone, are they?

More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

by Dirk Hoag on May 29, 2010 9:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Just first game jitters.

They’ll get over it in game two.

Niemi hasn’t had two bad games in a row these playoffs. I’m hoping that trend continues.

by Ban on May 30, 2010 4:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Hey, Chris...

…I posted a comment in an earlier story by you that I don’t think you ever saw: asked why you think Pronger is a jerk. I’ve never closely followed any team that he was on, but I never thought of him as a dirty player.

by LuvthePreds on May 29, 2010 9:12 PM EDT reply actions