Stanley cup

An Original Six Stanley Cup finals this is not, and for that, some hockey fans may be sad. But the Philadelphia Flyers bring a storied hockey history of their own to the NHL's championship series with the Chicago Blackhawks, two huge hockey markets with teams looking to end long droughts.

The Flyers haven't won the Cup since the Broad Street Bullies were beating up opponents on the way to back-to-back titles in 1974 and 1975. Thirty-five years? Ha, that's nothing. The Blackhawks carry the burden of the NHL's longest drought, a 49-year stretch that the Madhouse on Madison wants no part of seeing reach half a century.

The Hawks, of course, are the favorites; they have been a powerhouse from the superior Western Conference from Day 1 this season. In September, the Flyers were picked by many (including this writer) to take the East, but a moribund regular season saw them struggle to make the playoffs despite a talent-laden lineup. They settled for the seventh seed in a mediocre Eastern Conference.

So, technically, they are the underdogs, but potent ones. That deep lineup finally figured it out this spring, somewhere around the time they were down 3-0 in the second round against Boston. The Flyers have won eight of nine games entering the championship series. While Chicago deserves the favorite label, this series could surprise people.  For full article click the following link.