Stanley Cup Roundup: Day 40

I have to say these series haven't been as entertaining as the 1st and 2nd rounds were. But they've been very fast. Chicago's already won, and Philly is on the verge of following suit.

CHICAGO 4, SAN JOSE 2 (Blackhawks win series 4-0)

Chicago is going to the Finals for the first time since 1992, hoping to win their first Cup since 1961. And they got there in style. They blew out the Sharks in Games 1 and 2, then edged them out in two close games at home. The Sharks surged to a 2-0 lead, but the Hawks kept composure. Seabrook and Bolland equalized things in the 2nd. Dustin Byfuglien scored the 3rd period power play goal that turned out to be the game-winner. He scored in all 4 games, and 3 of those goals were game-winners. That's how you get your name onto a Conn Smythe watch-list.

PHILADELPHIA 3, MONTREAL 0 (Flyers lead series 3-1)

Michael Leighton will be first-billed in the storyline. He's recorded 3 shutouts in this series. And not to take anything away from him, but it's been a full team effort. Philly has a better team than Montreal. The Habs have Halak and Cammallari, along with one solid tandem of defensemen. The Flyers can get scoring from 6 or 7 guys, have 4 good defensemen who play all game (Pronger played 31 minutes in Game 4), and a fundamentally sound goalie. It's not too difficult to get a shutout when your opponent is held to 17 shots, and only 1 in the 2nd period. Montreal might steal a Game 5, but they cannot win 3 games.

Tonight's game:
7pm: Montreal @ Philadelphia - Versus (Flyers lead series 3-1)

-The Commodore