Stanley Cup Finals Betting – Can Flyers Force Game 7?

The Blackhawks are one win away from their first Stanley Cup since 1961, and they made sure they reached this point in style. Game five was a statement for Chicago, as they crushed the Flyers 7-4 on Sunday night. They knocked out Flyers net-minder Michael Leighton after one period, creating a very legitimate goaltending question in Philadelphia (although I believe Leighton has earned the chance to redeem himself). What Flyers fans should be most worried about, however, was the re-emergence of Chicago’s best players. Jonathon Toews, Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien each played their best games of the series, and the Flyers are in trouble if the trio plays that well again. Conversely, Chris Pronger had one of the worst games of his career, as he finished with zero points and a minus-five rating. It was ugly, and it showed the importance of Pronger to the Flyers; if he struggles, the team will be hard-pressed to win.  

Chicago Blackhawks @ Philadelphia Flyers
Stanley Cup Final Game 6 (Blackhawks lead 3-2)
Wednesday, June 9th – 8:00 PM EST
Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Broadcast: CBC, NBC  
Stanley Cup Finals Betting Odds: Flyers -115
Puck Line: Flyers -1.5 +230, Blackhawks +1.5 -270

What The Blackhawks Have To Do To Win:

Continued success from the top players is essential. Although his numbers may reflect differently (one assist, -1), Toews played a fantastic game five. He won face-offs, didn’t create turnovers and was an asset on the power play. Kane was able to contribute more on the score-sheet; his two points last game gave him five in the last three games. But the x-factor was Byfuglien, and he did everything that he needed to do to help his team win. His four points (two goals, two assists) were a team-high, as were his nine hits. He was simply a beast, and re-established himself as a force in front of the net after four games of no real impact at all. Before the game, coach Quenneville split up the top-line of Toews, Kane and Byfuglien to give his lines more depth; the gamble worked and may be the coaching move that gets Chicago the Stanley Cup.  

What The Flyers Have To Do To Win:

The two main factors that got the Flyers to where are they are now were the two biggest letdowns in game five and have to improve if Philly wants to stay alive; those two factors are goaltending and Chris Pronger. For the second time in the series, Leighton was pulled from a game. It has caused legitimate rumblings for the return of Brian Boucher, but I believe Leighton will be back for game six. However, he has to be at the top of his game; he cannot rely for his offense to bail him out. He has to be in the mindset that he has to win this game on his own. And he might have to if Pronger doesn’t improve. The hulking blue-liner was just awful in game five. He was on the ice for most of Chicago’s goals and wasn’t the physical force we saw in the first four games. He and Leighton have to be at their very best.  

Outlook & Pick

Before the loss, the Flyers had been a perfect 7-0 in games five-through-seven in the playoffs, and 4-0 when facing elimination. That means this team does not get intimidated, even if the odds are stacked against them. No home team has lost so far in this series, and I expect that trend to continue.  

Stanley Cup Finals Free Pick: Flyers