It's now up to the goalies to win Stanley Cup
Antti Niemi #31 of the Chicago Blackhawks gives up a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Five of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup. (June 6, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
This has been an unusual Stanley Cup Final where goaltending has been far less a factor than special teams and home-ice advantage. But it's likely that the goalie who makes the critical saves Wednesday in Philadelphia - or possibly in Chicago in Game 7 on Friday - will be the difference-maker who skates off with the trophy.
Through five games, 40 goals have been scored, an average of eight per game. Chicago, which leads the series 3-2 and can capture its first Stanley Cup in 49 years, has 21, Philadelphia 19. Flyers' goaltender Michael Leighton has been pulled twice for backup Brian Boucher. Hawks rookie Antti Niemi has a less-than-impressive save percentage of .882.
Only one game has been low scoring, the Hawks' 2-1 win in Game 2, and both teams have vowed to tighten up their defensive play. But it may not happen, given the speed, offense and havoc in front of the crease that these two clubs bring.
"They just seem to be going in whether they're deflections or fortunate bounces around the net," said Chicago coach Joel Quenneville, "They've been going to the right guys or wrong guys whichever way you're looking at it. I don't think we envisioned scoring at the rate we're scoring at."
Flyers forward Scott Hartnell didn't blame the goaltenders. "Good things happen when you throw pucks at the net and you have some sharpshooters on both team . . . Look at [Patrick] Sharp's goals, off a couple of bars and in the net. It's tough for anyone to stop those shots."
The Blackhawks eliminated both Nashville and Vancouver in Game 6s on the road and after some line changes, regained some swagger in Sunday's convincing 7-4 win at United Center. "You have to treat it as an elimination game," said John Madden, who won two Cups with the Devils. "You don't want to take a chance on Game 7."
But Leighton is undefeated with a 1.48 goals-against average in six home starts. And the Flyers are 4-0 in the playoffs in elimination games. "We've seen this story before," said defenseman Chris Pronger. "I think [Leighton's] the type of guy that can let things like that roll off him and just go out and be focused and be prepared. I'm not too worried about him."
