Stanley Cup Final Game 5: For first time, Blackhawks try to deal with adversity

by Travis Hughes on Jun 6, 2010 4:55 PM EDT in 2010 NHL Playoffs

Stanley Cup Final, Game 5
Philadelphia Flyers at Chicago Blackhawks
Series tied 2-2
United Center - 8:00 PM ET - Chicago, IL
TV: NBC HD, CBC HD, RDS HD
Radio: 610 WIP (internet stream here), XM 204, SIRIUS 208
Get the Chicago perspective at Second City Hockey

Peter Laviolette called it crippling. It's at every turn, he said, and if you let it get to you at this time of year, it's going to kill you. Luckily, eliminating stress and pressure is something that these Philadelphia Flyers have been very good at this postseason. They've seen a lot of it. They're used to it by now.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, the Blackhawks haven't had to deal with much pressure this postseason. They've gotten better, in the results column at least, as these playoffs have gone on. There's been no adversity there all season long, when you really think about it. Any issues they've had to deal with have been microscopic compared to those of the Flyers.

So when you think about this Stanley Cup Final, currently tied at two games apiece as we prepare for Game 5 at United Center this evening, you have to contemplate the advantages and disadvantages each team has in this very, very tightly matched series.

You have a Chicago team that hasn't played as well at home as they have on the road in these playoffs. You have a Chicago team facing adversity for the first time this season, while seemingly panicking through lineup changes and complaints about Chris Pronger... as recently as 15 minutes before this writing. They seem a little off message and a little uptight, and I think Hawks fans would even agree with that assessment.

Meanwhile, this is no big deal to the Flyers. That's been the message for two months now and they're all committed to it. They know they need a win on the road, and tonight's the night for that to happen.

Game thread coming up around 5:30ish.

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Comments

If we can play smart, responsible hockey for a FULL 60 minutes…we can do this. You can’t make mistakes with these Hawks, you can’t let your guard down, you can’t take bad penalties.

Philadelphia Flyers/Columbus Blue Jackets...don't ask me how.

by PhillyPhan85 on Jun 6, 2010 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

LET'S GO FLY-ERS!

#1 Flyers fan in England (originally from Southeastern PA)

by Orange and Black Forever on Jun 6, 2010 5:14 PM EDT reply actions

     Second City (chicago’s blog) had motivational photos two days in a row. The first was from Lord of the Rings — Aragorn speaking before battle — and today’s was a still of Gerald Butler’s battle cry in the movie “300”. Clever, but still a reach.
     My hope for tonight is that youth falters and can’t bear up under the pressure and that our magnificent Flyers are able to bring home the win. They are already heros.
    I thought Pronger’s point was great: that we play in five men teams that can handle whatever line changes the Hawks make. GO FLYERS.

by deisel on Jun 6, 2010 5:22 PM EDT reply actions

well we all know how 300 ended….

Philadelphia Flyers/Columbus Blue Jackets...don't ask me how.

by PhillyPhan85 on Jun 6, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

It's their "Beard of the Day" Series

They’ve been doing since the playoffs started.

by Aphilfan on Jun 6, 2010 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn NBC

We are 2-0 on VS this series, but 0-2 on NBC.

An Ohio fan of the Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Panthers, Oakland A's, and Philadelphia 76ers. Strange? Yes. Very.

by chillicothe20 on Jun 6, 2010 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

Perfect – we have a chance to eliminate TWO streaks at the same time then.

Have some faith, people!

GO FLYERS!!!!

#1 Flyers fan in England (originally from Southeastern PA)

by Orange and Black Forever on Jun 6, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Of course, we are undefeated this year from Game 4 on blah blah blah

Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us. - C&H

by alcatraz0109 on Jun 6, 2010 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Does that make Pierre the problem or something? I’m not worried about that though, we played Game 4 in Montreal on NBC. We have far bigger things to worry about

by DragonGirl0583 on Jun 6, 2010 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s right – game 4 in Montreal was on NBC.

We’re ready to go regardless on what network is broadcasting us.

GO FLYERS!!!!

#1 Flyers fan in England (originally from Southeastern PA)

by Orange and Black Forever on Jun 6, 2010 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Pierre was at 4 and 5 though, still. I had the luxury of seeing that bald head in person.

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by Travis Hughes on Jun 6, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions