Stanely Cup Finals: Game 5

It's game day! At 8 pm tonight, the Chicago Blackhawks will be trying to get another win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Who will prevail? Although I'm pushing for the Flyers (yes, as a die-hard Pens fan I am saying this), I'm going to say Chicago will take this one. After losing their 2-0 lead over the last to games and their top lines and players going scoreless, they'll have a fire under them tonight. Along with a VERY loud home crowd.

To win this one Chicago will need to focus, not give turnovers and stay out of the box. They have been outshooting the Flyers, but if you've been watching this playoff season, that really doesn't seem to matter. The Habs were outshot almost every game and still made it to Round 3, over the president's trophy winners and the defending Stanely Cup champs. Bigg Buff will also need to show up in this game, as he's been slagging in the last two. I'm going to predict big things for the Hawks in this game. They have to feel the need to win this one, they'll need to match the Flyer's desperation. If they can do this, they'll win.

But, this year seems to be the year of Cinderella stories, so don't count the Flyers out just yet. Haven't you heard, this is God's team. Especially with players like Leino and Pronger, and the cap Mike Richards, showing up in big ways. Pronger, ever the antagonist, on and off the ice, is using his imposing physicality as well as his wits. He is definitely one to watch out for. Leino has been stunning this series, but too much focus on him has helped the Flyers score more. It will be a tough one for the Flyers, but if they can hold their game together and come out strong, they could win this.

The team that wins this game, gets the 3-2 lead over the other team. In history, more often than not, the team that wins game 5, wins the series. Although this isn't always so (again, those damn Habs), it usually is. So time will tell, see you at game time!