This is one that the Philadelphia Flyers have to win. Obviously.
But is this a game that the Chicago Blackhawks can afford to lose?
The first thought is that these teams have been so good at home in this series that it’s very likely the Flyers win tonight. Going to Game 7, however, won’t be all that horrible for the Hawks considering just how well they’ve played at the United Center. A loss tonight won’t be the end of the world, especially considering the struggles of the Flyers in Chicago.
Of course, logic and wisdom say otherwise.
While it would be great to see the Hawks hoist the Cup in front of the home crowd, you know that’s not exactly what they would prefer to do. When you are facing the Philadelphia Flyers, conventional wisdom says to never, ever give them another chance.
Losing tonight at the Wachovia Center would do just that. Forget that the Hawks have yet to lose in this series at home; we’re talking about one of the most resilient teams in the NHL, perhaps one of the most resilient we’ve seen in a very long time. Giving the Flyers a shot to win the series is asking for a world of hurt.
The Flyers are always at their best when their backs are against the wall. The team finds a way to buckle down, to get charged up in front of their own fans and find a way to win against a superior and more talented opponent. Is that the sort of team you allow to head back to Chicago with a chance to actually win the Stanley Cup?
The Flyers have already won a Game 7, doing so in historic fashion. I’d be wary, if I were the Hawks. Win this now, on the road, and never allow this team another chance to beat you.