Here they come again but this time just to preview their potential. That is right. The turkeys are back for their weekly appearance….flying in a bit crooked. With the Stanley Cup Finals just two days away, the turkeys are going to look ahead for a change. Now I do not know how their prognostications are but I can tell you they have a pretty good handle on these Finals for some reason. The choices presented below do not mean that they are going to happen. This is all based on potential and looking back at a variety of factor.
What are those factors? Simple really, we take all the old factors out. Both teams obviously go to the Finals in completely different ways. These are just based on educated guesses. It is actually tough to nail these but we will see how close we can actually come. Time to unveil our picks.
Your Stanley Cup Turkeys……
If Philly loses…..
Brian Boucher / Michael Leighton (Goalies)
This does not sound fair does it? However you live by curious journeymen goaltending and you die by it as well. I know the numbers and the numbers are very good but the turkeys see the Chicago offense and they admittedly get scared. Its like facing Boston at full strength except with more scoring touch. Also with Dustin Byfuglien getting top line ice time, the Flyers goalies will have a tough time seeing when he cycles down low. Byfuglien is like a rover and that may put too much fear in the hearts of these netminders. Goaltending is always blamed or praised way too much this time of year and with the uncertainty in net (if Boucher is 100%), this has the makings of being classic “look over your shoulder syndrome”.
Chris Pronger (Defense)
Pronger has the toughest assignment of the series and that is to stop “The Buff”. He also has to use his veteran craftiness in stopping Kane, Toews, Hossa, etc…etc…etc. He will need help but in the first three games of the Boston series and parts of the Montreal series, Pronger was a bit off his game. If Chicago was watching, they will use speed, speed, and more speed with just enough brawn to get Pronger off his game. When Chris Pronger gets too angry, the penalties start happening. He is big on the PK and obviously if he is off the ice then Chicago will have an easier time scoring goals. Despite the goal scorers from Philly, I think Pronger has the real potential of being a turkey.
If Chicago loses……
Marian Hossa (Forward)
You could see this coming from a mile away. If Chicago loses, no matter what Marian Hossa does, he will be considered a turkey because of the 3 straight Finals appearances without Cup glory. Sure it is extremely cruel but first Pittsburgh, then Detroit, then Chicago. Who would be next? Oh wait he has an extended stay in Chicago or at least we think he does. Seriously, Hossa has been a bit invisible so far in the playoffs aside from the heroic goal he had against Nashville (obviously some think he should have gotten the gate for that major). This is the time for Hossa to step up his game. In his first two Finals appearances, he has not. Let’s see if he can the third time around or will it be another “turkey”.
Antti Niemi (Goalie)
Again we focus on the goalie because it is an easy target. Niemi has played very well in the last two rounds and was great in the sweep of San Jose. However, Nashville was kind of an in your face gritty team and well Philly is even moreso. If a team could get Niemi off their game, it may be Philly. With physical guys like Daniel Carcillo and Scott Hartnell, Niemi may need a few more drinks of Scotch than usual for this one. The key will be Chris Pronger in front on the Power Play as well. Funny thing is Chicago and Philly are more alike than people think and Philly has the potential of making this quite the series. It is up to Niemi in particular as to how that goes. Either way, it should be fun.
The question to the readers would be this. Who are your potential turkeys for the Stanley Cup Finals? Don’t be shy. List them in the comments section, facebook, twitter, or wherever you can. Just bring the heat and do not forget the gravy!!!!!
