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Here they come again but this time just to preview their potential.* That is right.* The turkeys are back for their weekly appearance….flying in a bit crooked.* With the Stanley Cup Finals just two days away, the turkeys are going to look ahead for a change.* Now I do not know how their prognostications are but I can tell you they have a pretty good handle on these Finals for some reason.* The choices presented below do not mean that they are going to happen.* This is all based on potential and looking back at a variety of factor.

What are those factors?* Simple really, we take all the old factors out.* Both teams obviously go to the Finals in completely different ways.* These are just based on educated guesses.* It is actually tough to nail these but we will see how close we can actually come.* Time to unveil our picks.

If Philly loses…..

Brian Boucher / Michael Leighton (Goalies)

This does not sound fair does it?* However you live by curious journeymen goaltending and you die by it as well.* I know the numbers and the numbers are very good but the turkeys see the Chicago offense and they admittedly get scared.* Its like facing Boston at full strength except with more scoring touch.* Also with Dustin Byfuglien getting top line ice time, the Flyers goalies will have a tough time seeing when he cycles down low.* Byfuglien is like a rover and that may put too much fear in the hearts of these netminders.* Goaltending is always blamed or praised way too much this time of year and with the uncertainty in net (if Boucher is 100%), this has the makings of being classic “look over your shoulder syndrome”.

Chris Pronger (Defense)

Pronger has the toughest assignment of the series and that is to stop “The Buff”.* He also has to use his veteran craftiness in stopping Kane, Toews, Hossa, etc…etc…etc.* He will need help but in the first three games of the Boston series and parts of the Montreal series, Pronger was a bit off his game.* If Chicago was watching, they will use speed, speed, and more speed with just enough brawn to get Pronger off his game.* When Chris Pronger gets too angry, the penalties start happening.* He is big on the PK and obviously if he is off the ice then Chicago will have an easier time scoring goals.* Despite the goal scorers from Philly, I think Pronger has the real potential of being a turkey.
If Chicago loses……

Marian Hossa (Forward)

You could see this coming from a mile away.* If Chicago loses, no matter what Marian Hossa does, he will be considered a turkey because of the 3 straight Finals appearances without Cup glory.* Sure it is extremely cruel but first Pittsburgh, then Detroit, then Chicago.* Who would be next?* Oh wait he has an extended stay in Chicago or at least we think he does.* Seriously, Hossa has been a bit invisible so far in the playoffs aside from the heroic goal he had against Nashville (obviously some think he should have gotten the gate for that major).* This is the time for Hossa to step up his game.* In his first two Finals appearances, he has not.* Let’s see if he can the third time around or will it be another “turkey”.

Antti Niemi (Goalie)

Again we focus on the goalie because it is an easy target.* Niemi has played very well in the last two rounds and was great in the sweep of San Jose.* However, Nashville was kind of an in your face gritty team and well Philly is even moreso.* If a team could get Niemi off their game, it may be Philly.* With physical guys like Daniel Carcillo and Scott Hartnell, Niemi may need a few more drinks of Scotch than usual for this one.* The key will be Chris Pronger in front on the Power Play as well.* Funny thing is Chicago and Philly are more alike than people think and Philly has the potential of making this quite the series.* It is up to Niemi in particular as to how that goes.* Either way, it should be fun.

The question to the readers would be this.* Who are your potential turkeys for the Stanley Cup Finals?* Don’t be shy.* List them in the comments section, facebook, twitter, or wherever you can.* Just bring the heat and do not forget the gravy!!!!!

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