"To kill the beast you must cut off the head."
I don't remember where I first heard the saying. For all I know I could have made it up one night while drinking. But if you apply this saying to the Stanley Cup Finals then last night the Chicago Blackhawks went ahead and picked up the knife.
Chicago not only played their best game of this series but their best game of the post-season defeating Philadelphia last night 7-4 at United Center to take a three games to two lead in the best of seven series. Here were a few things that stood out to me last night during the game.
1. Chicago's special teams were finally better than Philadelphia's special teams: In the first four games Philadelphia scored four power play goals while Chicago only had one and that came on a 5 on 3 late in game four. Last night Chicago's first goal came on the power play.
The Blackhawks added another power play goal later in the 2nd period when Dustin Byfuglien scored on a tip-in off a Jonathan Toews pass. Going two for four on the power play is a lot better than what Chicago has done in the first four games.
2. Chris Pronger had his worst game of the post-season: He has been a dominant presence on the blue line for Philadelphia for the first four games of the series, causing Joel Quennville to break up the top line of Byfuglien, Toews & Patrick Kane. Last night he was on the ice for six of the seven Chicago goals. The only one he wasn't on the ice for was because he was in the penalty box for a hooking call.
That penalty led to the Byfuglien power play goal. Byfuglien also got a little bit of payback early in the 2nd period when he leveled Pronger in the corner. Pronger finished the night with a minus five rating, his worst of the post-season. He may be winning the war in this series but last night Byfuglien won the battle.
3. Joel Quennville's line changes: For the first four games Chicago's top line has been anywhere from quiet to ineffective. After splitting up Toews, Kane & Byfuglien all three players produced last night.
Kane had one goal and one assist. Toews had one assist and played his best game of the series on both ends of the ice. Byfuglien had the biggest impact of all three players finishing with two goals, two assists and a plus three rating on the ice. If you spread all three players among three lines than Pronger can't play against all of them.
4. Chicago's defense played better than Philadelphia's last night: In Philadelphia the Blackhawks had trouble getting to the front of the net and creating traffic in front of Leighton. In game five Chicago's defense did a good job keeping the Flyers forwards away from Antti Niemi while the Blackhawk forward had no problem going to the front of the net.
Granted Chicago's defense wasn't perfect but getting the first goal from Brent Seabrook on the power play was a good start for the Blackhawks. Niklas Hjalmarsoon bounced back from a bad game four to play a steady game five. His partner on defense Brian Campbell was still a little more passive than I would like but he finished with a plus two rating on the ice so I'll cut him some slack.
The bottom lime is Chicago's top four defenseman were better than Philadelphia's top four defenseman. In a series where no goalie is dominant that match-up will probably decide who wins the cup.
5. Michael Leighton gets pulled again: For the second time this series Chicago chased Michael Leighton form the net. He was pulled after giving up three goals in the 1st period and replaced by Brian Boucher.
The first goal I can't fault Leighton for as Seabrook's shot deflected off of Pronger and went past him. The next two goal you could say he has to make those saves. He didn't and the Flyers were down 3-0 after the 1st period. Brian Boucher didn't fare much better, giving up three goals on fourteen shots.
Fans can debate who has played better in net Niemi or Leighton. All I know is Leighton has been pulled in two of the five games and gave up a bad goal for the game winner in game two. Niemi hasn't been dominant in net but he has played better than Leighton so far.
Flyers coach Peter Laviolette has to decide what to do about his goaltender for game six. Does he stick with Leighton or does he go with Boucher? My guess is he sticks with Leighton in net as I still think he gives Philly the best chance to win the series.
6. Chicago's ability to counter punch: Chicago's 3-0 lead wasn't the first time the Flyers faced a three goal deficit in the playoffs. They trailed Boston 3-0 in game seven before James Van Riemsdyk scored a soft goal to get Philly on the board. as we know Philly rallied to win the game & series 4-3.
Last night Scott Hartnell scored thirty-two seconds into the 2nd period. Unlike Boston however every time the Flyers scored a goal the Blackhawks were able to get the next goal of the game. Chicago never lost control of the game last night and is now one win away from the cup.
So what does last night's game mean for the series? Right now nothing. Chicago has won all their home games and Philadelphia has won their home games. Game six is in Philadelphia and if the series holds true to form Philly should be favored to win game six.
I will say that last night Chicago played the best game either team has played in this series. If they can play one more game like that on Wednesday night they will be Stanley Cup champions.
That will do it for today. I have one more column I am working on right now and I hope to have it done before game six. Until then thanks for reading & enjoy the hockey.
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