Inexperienced goalies lead Flyers and Blackhawks to NHL Finals | IXGAMES

The Chicago Blackhawks were a powerhouse during the regular season, but the one question surrounding the Hawks as they entered the playoffs looking for their first Stanley Cup since 1961 was goaltender Antti Niemi. The Finnish rookie didn’t even take over as Chicago’s No. 1 goaltender until March and he had obviously never been in the intensity of the Stanley Cup playoffs. But he has carried the Hawks to five wins in a row, not allowing more than two goals in any game, and their first NHL Finals since 1992. Niemi is one of the favorites on Bodog’s NHL playoff odds at 6/1 to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. The favorite to be named playoff MVP is Blackhawks center and captain Jonathan Toews, who leads the NHL with 26 postseason points and has scored in 13 consecutive playoff games, establishing a Chicago record. Toews is 1/2 on Bodog’s Stanley Cup odds to win the Conn Smythe. Philadelphia’s goaltender is an even bigger surprise as Michael Leighton was plucked off waivers in December. He played well as a fill-in starter for Philly but eventually lost his job to Brian Boucher when Leighton was injured. But when Boucher was hurt in Game 5 of the East semifinals against Boston, Leighton stepped in and has been stellar in his first postseason with a 6-1 record, 1.45 goals-against average and three shutouts. The one-time Blackhawk allowed only three goals to the Canadiens in the five-game Western Finals win. He is Philly’s second-favorite to win the Conn Smythe at 8/1 on Bodog’s NHL odds. The Flyers’ odds-on favorite for playoff MVP is Mike Richards, who is second in the NHL playoffs with 21 points (six goals and 15 assists). Richards and Leighton will have to be at the top of their games to beat the favored Blackhawks and bring the first Cup back to Philly since 1975. Who wins the Cup? Who will the playoff MVP be? For all the Stanley Cup odds and props, go to the online gaming industry leader for more than 15 years: Bodog.