There were some rumors President Obama might be at the United Center for Game One of the Stanley Cup final Saturday but he was a no-show. For that matter, so were defense and goaltending. It was a 6-5 Chicago win in the opener in a game that saw the Flyers pull Michael Leighton for Brian Boucher after he had given up five goals. How silly the Canadiens must feel now after the Hawks solved Leighton in less than 40 minutes after the Habs were blanked three times in the Eastern final. Yes, Phillyfan, the Hawks are a wee bit more explosive.
Philly Inquirer columnist Bob Ford wonders what the Flyers do in goal now. Great friend of the Edge Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com asks the same question.
Pretty crazy stat sheet to look at. Danny Briere had a four-point night. The Flyers had three leads and took no penalties. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien had no points and were a combined minus-9. How did Philly lose? Carter-Richards-Gagne all pointless as well and a combined minus-7. Giving up a shorthanded goal to Dave Bolland was a killer. As was a game-winner to Tomas Kopecky, a healthy scratch in recent games.
Game Two is Monday night. Defense anyone?
Click here for the NHL.com video recap of Game One. (For some reason, the embed function isn't working on their video today. Sorry).
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
tagged
NHL | Stanley Cup
