Much like the 2009 Conference Finals, it was all over pretty quickly -- Philadelphia getting by the Canadiens in 5 games, while Chicago overcame the Sharks in a sweep.
While the series wasn't quite as dominant as the sweep would suggest, the hapless San Jose Sharks were a soundly beaten bunch. Probably the best player for San Jose, Patrick Marleau scored 5 of his team's 7 goals. While looking a little lazy and quiet at times, he was usually in the right spots when on offense, and put the puck away enough. Sadly for San Jose, aside from Joe Thornton he got no help at all. Jason Demers and Logan Couture were the only other players who were able to find the back of the net, which in the end lead to the Sharks demise. You need a lot more than three scorers to beat the Blackhawks.
Probably the strongest contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy, Chicago's captain Jonathan Toews was without a doubt their leader throughout the series and throughout the entire playoffs. Toews has always been a winner, getting gold in the World Junior Championships, World U-17's, World Championships and the Olympics -- and now the 22-year-old hopes to add a Stanley Cup to his resume. Toews scored one goal and added 5 assists against the Sharks to bring his playoffs totals to 7 goals and a league-leading 26 points.
Last night was the end of one of two Cinderella stories in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately for the fans in Montreal -- it was theirs. Philly overpowered their opponents almost incessantly, and combined their tough style of game with a potent attack and an oppressively stingy defense. Montreal was held scoreless in 10 of 15 periods in the series -- three of their four losses coming via shutout -- shutouts delivered, amazingly enough, by the replacement, Michael Leighton.
Leighton, the latest Cinderella story of the playoffs, had never seen NHL playoff action before he stepped in for the injured Brian Boucher in Game 5 against Boston, and only had 4 career regular season shutouts. Since that point he's gone 6-1 with a 1.45 GAA, an incredible .948 SV% and 3 shutouts. It's been a remarkable turnaround from the guy who was put on waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes earlier in the season to this. Having said that, stymieing the Bruins and Habs is one thing, but the overcoming the Chicago Blackhawks is another.
To me, it really seems like this Finals series will just be a demonstration of the Western Conference's superiority over the Eastern Conference. Chicago is a genuine, bona-fide powerhouse team with arguably the most balanced lineup in the League. Shutting down the likes of Cammalleri, Gionta, Lapierre and the already quiet Plekanec, Gomez and Kostitsyn is nothing like shutting down Chicago's best.
Along with Toews, the Flyers and Leighton have to contend with Patrick Kane, Dustin Byfuglien, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa and Kris Versteeg as just a few of the forwards that can light the lamp at any given opportunity. Furthermore, the offensive output from the blueline, lead by Brian Campbell, Niklas Hjalmarsson and the Norris-favourite Duncan Keith, is also one of the scariest bluelines to have to contend with.
While Michael Leighton and the entire Flyers team has been admirable in their campaigns, I truly see no way they can contend with the Blackhawks in this one. Stranger things have happened but I severely doubt this Cinderella-story will go all the way. Chicago will end their 49-year Stanley Cup drought, the Flyers will continue their 35-year drought and the Marian Hossa curse will be lifted. I hate to say it, but 'Hawks in 5.
