The Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks will meet in 2010 Stanley Cup betting. Game 1 of Stanley Cup odds takes place on Saturday night in Chicago. The Blackhawks are favored in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals and they are better than a 2-1 favorite in 2010 Stanley Cup betting to win the series.
2010 Stanley Cup betting favors Chicago because they finished far ahead of the Flyers in the standings and Chicago will have home ice advantage in this series. The Blackhawks routed the San Jose Sharks in four straight games. The Flyers took out the Montreal Canadians in five games.
Philadelphia is led by captain Mike Richards who is doing everything. His shorthanded goal on Monday night was one for the highlight reels. Richards will be going against Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook in the Stanley Cup finals. Chicago’s defensemen have been shutting down other team’s top stars and they will try and keep Richards in check in the finals. Chicago will have to keep Richards and Danny Briere in check if they are to win. Briere has nine goals in the playoffs and that is more than any Chicago player has.
On the other side in 2010 Stanley Cup betting, it will be Philadelphia’s Chris Pronger trying to contain Jonathan Toews and Dustin Byfuglien. Pronger may get worn out in this series by the Chicago front line. Byfuglien is tough to move but Pronger is one defenseman who may be able to do it. He can’t contain everyone though and that is where Chicago has the advantage. They have far more scoring depth than Philadelphia. The goaltending matchup is a good one as both Michael Leighton and Antti Niemi are playing great. Leighton actually played for Chicago from 2002-2004.
The Blackhawks and Flyers met once during the regular season and Pronger scored with two second left as the Flyers won 3-2. It was Cristobal Huet in goal for the Blackhawks in that loss. Antti Niemi has never faced the Flyers.
The Blackhawks are favored in what should be a very entertaining Stanley Cup Finals. Chicago has home ice, more scoring and more depth. They should win in 2010 Stanley Cup betting but it may not be easy.