As the #2 team in the West this year, one would think that the Chicago Blackhawks should be the prohibitive favourites to take down the East’s 7th-ranked Philadelphia Flyers.  But the Flyers have already defied the odds in a big way during their Cinderella run, and ought to be able to make this series interesting.  However, that being said, I’m pretty sure it’s going to be…

Chicago vs Philadelphia - BLACKHAWKS IN 6 » These Hawks just have too much going for them, and with Jonathan Toews leading the way, they’re looking pretty damn close to invincible.  This entire season, including the Olympics, has become the young captain’s coming-out party, and a Stanley Cup ring would look great on his mantel beside that gold medal.

On the Flyers’ side of things, Brian Boucher is apparently ready to return to game action, but should he?  Both he and Michael Leighton have been stellar, but Leighton’s the one who’s currently riding a hot streak, with three shutouts against the Montreal Canadiens.  Peter Laviolette should probably stick with him until (and if) he falters, at which time Boucher will definitely be raring to go.

You just know that this series is going to be a bloody battle, and with some accomplished shit-disturbers on both sides, things will get chippy and chirpy.  This is the stuff that rivalries are made of.