Now that we've gotten that concept out of the way, let's look at the two participants in the Stanley Cup Finals.  Game one starts tonight in Chicago, where the Flyers (#7 seed in the East) travel to face the Blackhawks (#2 in the West.)

Defeated #2 New Jersey 4 games to 1

Defeated #6 Boston 4 games to 3

Defeated #8 Montreal 4 games to 1

What can you say about this Philly team.  Many people (present company included) dismissed their upset of New Jersey as more of a Devils collapse that a Flyer domination.  All people (present company inevitable included) had the Bruins penciled, nay, sharpie'd in for the Eastern Finals when they led Philly 3 games to 0 in round two.  Peter Laviolette and his team refused to lose game after game, before a rousing comeback in game 7 vaulted them into the next round and into the history books.  In an epic 7-8 matchup, Philly cooled down Halak and the Canadiens and disposed of them with relative ease to earn a berth in the 'ship.

Defeated #7 Nashville 4 games to 2 

Defeated #3 Vancouver 4 games to 2

Defeated #1 San Jose 4 games to 0

This looks like the year for Chicago.  They haven't won it all since Squanto was president.  Two of their young superstars (Kane and Toews) showed the whole world what they could do in the 2010 Olympics.  Their defense, led by Duncan Keith, Brian Campbell, and Brent Seabrook, has two-way capabilities that are unrivaled across the rest of the NHL.  San Jose had comparable talent, and Chicago ravaged the Sharks in the conference final.  Maybe it's unfair to say, but at this point anything less than hoisting the Cup will be a major letdown in the windy city.

I'm not a guy who likes to go with the grain.  I never pick 1-seeds in March Madness...I never bet the favorite in a horse race...I always tell Jeopardy contestants to wager it all in Final Jeopardy, even if victory is already secured.  The road more traveled is not the road for Reilly.  Keeping that in mind, allow me to completely contradict all of those sentiments.  Yes, the playoffs (particularly the East) has been nutty this year.  We might as well just throw out the seedings, because they clearly mean nothing.  But if this Flyers team wins the Stanley Cup, I give up.  Wasn't it just yesterday when Philly and the Rangers were clawing tooth and nail in the last game of the regular season to see who would sneak into the playoffs?  The Blackhawks were picked by so many to be a dangerous, dangerous team this season.  They haven't disappointed in the least bit.  Chicago is the superior team in this series.  Am I counting the Flyers out?  Absolutely not.  The way Mike Leighton has been going, he may steal 4 games all by himself.  And coach Peter Laviolette has gallons and gallons of Mike's Secret Stuff that he seems to distribute during all intermission periods.  I give the Flyers all the respect for making it this far.  But as I said before, this is Chicago's year.  It just has to be.

BLACKHAWKS IN 6 GAMES.   

Enjoy the Stanley Cup, everybody!