Chicago or Tampa – Who Ya Got?

It is always fun to look at the broad range of prognosticators and their picks for the Stanley Cup.

(And for the record, we have Chicago in 6.)

An interesting page from ESPN overwhelmingly shows the Blackhawks as favorites.  Even more interesting, the same article has a couple folks who swapped from Blackhawks to Lightning (or vice versa) as the playoffs progressed.

I enjoy reading Puck Daddy and was surprised to see how evenly split they are in this article.

Two examples:

Sean Leahy, Puck Daddy Editor

Tampa in 6

Conn Smythe: Tyler Johnson

I predicted this match-up before the playoffs and while every blind squirrel can find a nut, both Tampa and Chicago have shown why many had faith they would be playing for the Stanley Cup in June.

The Lightning aren’t going to try and wear down the Blackhawks like Anaheim thought would work. You can’t do that to them, especially with two full days off in-between Games 1 and 2 and 4 and 5, allowing for much-needed rest. Tampa will just do what they did to the Rangers in the conference final: win the neutral zone battle, force turnovers and be carried by their top two lines. The “Triplets” and the trio of Stamkos, Killorn and Filppula have handled the offensive burden just fine. If they can finally get their bottom six to chip in, that’d be a bonus.

Josh Cooper, Puck Daddy Editor

Blackhawks in 6

Conn Smythe: Duncan Keith

The Blackhawks completely won me over in their Western Conference Final win over the Anaheim Ducks. Chicago showed that when you have arguably the best forward in the NHL in Jonathan Toews and the best defenseman in Duncan Keith, you’re a tough out. Those two guys are playing at another level right now, and everyone on the Hawks follows them. Tampa has a ton of skill and speed and has learned a lot this postseason. Lightning coach Jon Cooper has an excellent pulse on this group and is smart at making adjustments. But Chicago’s forward depth and experience will overcome the Lightning. Tampa’s time will come, just not this year.

Check out the rest of their predictions here.