Stanley Cup Betting
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Free Pick: Philadelphia Flyers +170 odds
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This should prove to be a great Stanley Cup Finals.

I feel Philadelphia has a legitimate shot at winning Game 1, and of winning the Stanley Cup.

Both teams have very hot goaltending coming into this game; both are very deep and each has a ton of talent; they are also both extremely physical.

But Chris Pronger could very well be the X-Factor for Philadelphia.

He plays half of every game and shuts down the oppositions top forwards; and he’s also the best scoring blue liner.

He’ll have his hands full of course with Dustin Byfuglien, who has been huge for Chicago this post-season, but I have to give the advantage to Pronger in that head to head matchup.

I think Chicago has an awesome defense as well, but believe the Flyers, anchored by Pronger, have the slight advantage.

When I look at each up front, I’d say the advantage goes to the Blackhawks in the skill department, but that said, Philly does have plenty of talent as well and I think what they lack in skill, they more than make up for it with veteran savvy; so to me, the forwards are a wash.

So that leaves goaltending; Antti Niemi vs. Michael Leighton.

Hard to say who has the advantage here, but most people I think would give it to the rookie Niemi.

However I’m not convinced he is the better goaltender.

Leighton has played at an extremely high level since being thrust into the spot light, and there’s nothing I’ve seen that makes me think he’ll have a letdown in the Finals.

Although its dominated almost every statistical category all season long, it’s important to point out that Chicago has in fact gone 5-7 (-7.9 units) when playing with three or more days of rest this year.

The path the Flyers took to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals has been incredible; they steamrolled through the Devils; the now historic come from behind series victory over the Bruins; a convincing 5-game pounding of the Habs which included three shutouts for Leighton; and it all got started on the last day of the regular season when Brian Boucher outdueled Henrik Lundqvist in a shootout which preserved the 2-1 victory that clinched a playoff berth for the Flyers and ended the Rangers season.

It won’t be easy; just look at the way the Hawks manhandled the Sharks; but I think when you take into account all of the above factors (the X-factor of Pronger and the Flyers overall veteran experience), that we’re getting excellent value on PHILADELPHIA in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

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