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Not everyone loves an underdog, especially when they are the big, bad Philadelphia Flyers.
But it’s more than the surly reputation of the Eastern Conference champs that has made the Chicago Blackhawks huge favourites heading into the Stanley Cup final, which gets under way this Saturday in the Windy City.
According to on-line bookmaker, Bet365.com, the Hawks are listed at odds of 4/11 meaning a $100 wager would return you a profit of $36.36. The Flyers, meanwhile are at 9/4 meaning that same $100 “investment” would return a profit of $225 or more than six times what the Hawks return.
Bookies (and no dåoubt bettors) were impressed by the Hawks’ run, which included wins over Western Conference powerhouses San Jose and Vancouver. The Flyers, meanwhile, just squeaked into the post season and defeated relative lightweights Montreal and Boston after an opening-round triumph over New Jersey.
It’s not as if an Eastern Conference ‘dog hasn’t won the Cup before, however. The Red Wings were heavily favoured last spring before falling in seven games to Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Both teams were considered decent prospects at the stasrt of the season. The young and improving Hawks were listed at 12-1 while the Flyers were 15-1.

PHILADELPHIA – As an NHL coach, Peter Laviolette admits he worries about just about everything – especially at this time of year.
But when it comes to the possibility of his Flyers being overconfident following a 6-0 win in the first game of the Eastern Conference final, Sunday night, Laviolette says that would be at the bottom of his list of concerns.
“Right now, my push is that we are not in the middle of the season, we’re not at the start of the playoffs,” Laviolette said following the Flyers pre-game skate at the Wachovia Center. “We are one of four teams left. That should be strong enough motivating power right there.
“Everyone can see what we are playing for and you would like to think that kind of outweighs the 6-0. The players would be the first to tell you we were opportunistic the other night.
“I’d like to think we are going to come out and play a better hockey game as well.”
The common sentiment entering Tuesday’s game is that if the Canadiens can’t fight their way back into the series, it may be as good as over.
As it applies to Philadelphia, there is certainly some historical evidence to support that position. The Flyers are a perfect 16-0 when going up 2-0 in a series and 16-15 when tied at 1-1.
Given the Canadiens’ comeback record in these playoffs, the Flyers aren’t about to take anything for granted. But they know if they continue to control Montreal physically, a huge opportunity is in front of them Tuesday night.
But the Flyers believe they are capable of an even stouter effort in Game 2, especially given the poor first period in the series opener.
“They are going to be harder on our key guys,” Flyers forward Scott Hartnell said. “They are going to be focussed on getting the split in the series. They know if they don’t do that, they will be behind the 8-ball.”
NOTES: The Flyers have a 21-8 record after winning the opening game of a series but they have lost Game 2 in each of their previous series this spring … Defenceman Ian Laperriere will not be back in the lineup for the Flyers but is getting closer, despite taking the morning skate. “To be in the lineup tonight would be stupid,” said Laperriere, who is recovering from a concussion sustained in the first round. There is a strong chance he will be back in the Flyers lineup by the weekend, however … Flyers defenceman Chris Pronger leads all playoff performers in ice time, averaging 28:56 per game. And that’s with getting a break in Game 1. With the Flyers on their way to a blowout win, Laviolette limited him to 20:30 on Sunday night.

PHILADELPHIA – Much like mentioning a no-hitter in baseball, the Boston Bruins are leery about using the word sweep as they face the Flyers in a possible elimination game tonight.

Leading the series 3-0 has them in a favourable positition, of course, but the Bruins are well aware that the Flyers will be doing anything in their power to avoid being swept on home ice.

The Bruins players are also well aware of the performance of the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night. Facing the possibility of being swept by San Jose, the Wings responded with a 7-1 drubbing.
“That taught us a good lesson,” Bruins forward Marc Savard said. “You’ve got to be ready or you are going to get embarrassed.
“They are going to be hungry. They aren’t quitting.”

PHILADELPHIA — By the way David Krejci limped off the ice after being clocked by the Flyers Mike Richards in the first period Wednesday it did not look good.

The worse was confirmed this morning when the Bruins learned they will lose the forward for the remainder of the season. Krejci is believed to have suffered a broken wrist in the collision.

Though they hold a convincing 3-0 series lead, the Bruins have now lost two of their top forwards to the Flyers. Marco Sturm tore ligaments in his knee in Game 1.