Puck On The 'Net: Hawks, Flyers Game Up

Here's Monday's Slap Shots:

• I neglected to post my series predictions for the Conference Finals before games one. My usually horrendous record did not really play a role in that. Anyways, I picked Chicago and Montreal to meet in the Stanley Cup finals.
• Judging by game one my choice of Montreal is looking silly. Philadelphia was able to do what Ovechkin and Crosby could not do - solve Jaroslav Halak.
• I'm not too worried about Halak. He'll bounce back. The Habs coaching staff has shown great ability to adjust during these playoffs. I suspect this series will be a long one.
• I really like Chicago out west. I can't decide who to cheer for - Montreal because they are the Canadian team, or Chicago because Wade Flaherty is part of the coaching staff their. As a rookie goaltending consultant, what a great job he's done with super-rookie Antti Niemi. I'm cheering for him partly for selfish reasons though. If he finally gets his day with the Stanley Cup, I'm sure he'd bring it home to the banks of the Skeena River. It'd be nice to see the Stanley Cup in Terrace, BC twice within 12 months (Hockeyville 2009 was the other appearance).