Game One- WTF Was That?

That was truly the strangest game of playoff hockey I have ever seen in my entire life. Has there ever been a team that clearly had the jitters more than the Chicago Blackhawks last night? The puck refused to stay on their sticks, there were some seriously ill-advised passes in the defensive zone, and a strange number of players seemingly just falling over for no reason. Nevertheless, they stole the win out over the Philadelphia Flyers, who should just feel fortunate that Niemi sucked for the first two periods. Even while looking the worst I have ever seen them this season, the Blackhawks still controlled most of the game. They managed to chase "Mr. Zero" aka the back-up waiver pick up that managed to somehow find himself being put up on a pedestal because he played two of the worst offensive teams in hockey aka Michael Leighton. Though the Flyers did manage to produce some nice plays off the rush and played an ok counter-punch game, they can't expect any of that to be there next game. The 'Hawks are frustrated with their level of play, want to up it, and now they smell blood in the water. What bodes worst for the Flyers, is that Chicago is a better road team then a home team. If they don't steal game two, the series will be over.

However who knows what could happen with Chicago's top line sucking beyond utter belief. Dustin Byfuglien, now property of the U.S. Army (see previous post), was a Minus-3 for the game, though many have defended his performance due to his ten hits. Still, by my calculations, minus three + ten hits + no offensive production= terrible. Yet how embarrassing is it for Philly that they can manage to lose a game by giving up six goals, none of which were scored by Patrick Kane, Jon Toews, or Dustin Byfuglien. Yeah, Chicago's second line could be a first line on half the team's in the NHL, but the guys scoring the goals on Chicago were guys like Tomas Kopecky and Dave Bolland. Though many gave the edge to the Flyers' forwards, it is clearly Chicago that has the depth. Once that top line sparks up and starts producing, the Flyers will be buried beneath an avalanche of goals (and mediocre goal-tending). And trust me, avalanches aren't fun, just ask my friend Stephen McChronicallyShoutsOnTheTopOfSnowMountains, they suck.

I know I said I wasn't going to watch this series, but who am I kidding, it's the Cup. It is the most sacred trophy in all of sports. There is no greater (or harder) journey than the quest for Lord Stanley's Chalice. Hockey is a great sport because even after last night, anything can happen in this series. There's tradition in this league, and it's what keeps us watching. Oh and just a heads up, the Flyers hoisted their conference cup, which means they will automatically lose the one that matters.