Chicago Philadelphia Series Preview and Game 1 Notes

Stanley Cup Finals Series Preview! It's the "Last Second" Philadelphia Flyers vs. the "Young Guns" Chicago Blackhawks. 2nd place in the west faces off against 7th place in the east, Overall 3 vs 18.

It's been an up and down season for the Flyers. Heading into the regular season the Flyers were picked by many to be the team representing the Eastern Conference in the final battle for the Stanley Cup. Chicago was also the favorite in the west, led by young guns Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, along with one of the leagues best Defensive pairing's in Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. The Flyers are lead by a group of players ranging from young to old. Simon Gagne ,a Flyers draft pick back in the Lindros days, is playing some of the best hockey of his career, while it's the youngsters from the '04 draft Jeff Carter and captain Mike Richards that have led the Flyers offense production all season.

-Lineups-

Chicago (12-4-0):

Offense:

Kane Toews Byfuglien

Hossa Sharp Eager

Kopecky Bolland Versteeg

Burrish Madden Browder

Defense:

Keith Seabrook

Hjalmarson Cambell

Hendry Sopel

Goaltending:

Niemi Huet

Philadelphia (12-5-0):

Offense:

Gagne Richards Carter

Hartnell Briere Leino

Asham Giroux Jvr

Powe Betts Laperriere

Defense:

Pronger Carle

Timonen Coburn

Krajicek Parent

Goaltending:

Leighton Boucher

-Notes-

Hawks:

Tomas Kopecky is in for Andrew Ladd (Shoulder) suffered injury Game 4 vs. Sharks

Toews 26 points, 7 goals 19 assists. Byfuglien leads team with 8 goals

Niemi is 12-4-0 SV% .921 GAA 2.33

Coming off of a sweep vs. Sharks, Streak 5 wins

Coach Joel Quenneville's 1st cup appearence as Head Coach, Won cup in '96 as Assistant Coach with Avs

Flyers:

Boucher (Knee) will backup Leighton on Saturday, he was hurt Game 5 vs Boston. Carcillo is a healthy scratch once again.

Richards 21 points, 6 goals 15 assists. Briere leads team with 9 goals.

Leighton is 6-1-0 SV% .948 GAA 1.45.

Coming off of a 5 game series vs. Habs, Streak 2 wins

Coach Peter Laviolette has played in 1 Stanley Cup final, winning with Carolina in '06.

Final Words: "Just relax. Go out and play the game." - Lavvy