June 10, 2015
I try to follow as many Flyers fans on Twitter as possible, and it seems that the large majority of them have been rooting for the Chicago Blackhawks throughout the playoffs. This is for two reasons:
1. Chicago reaching the Stanley Cup Finals netted the Flyers two second-round picks via the Kimmo Timonen trade.
2. They really want to see Timonen win it all.
The first point is already over and done with, so it's been interesting to see some of them question their allegiances as the 40-year-old Timonen hasn't seen the ice through three games of the final series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. That's about to change (via Eye on Hockey):
Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville will shuffle his lineup once again ahead of Game 4 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Kimmo Timonen will rejoin the Blackhawks lineup for the first time since Game 5 of the Western Conference Final against the Anaheim Ducks. After a solid performance in Game 3, Trevor van Riemsdyk is also expected to be in for Game 4.
It is expected that Timonen will take Kyle Cumiskey's spot in the lineup. Cumiskey was on the ice for the Lightning's late game-winning goal in Game 3.
For Timonen, getting on the ice guarantees that he'll get his name on the Stanley Cup should Chicago fight back to win the series. The Blackhawks could've petitioned the NHL to put it on there regardless, but now it's certain. Down 2-1 in the series, Timonen is entering the lineup at a pivotal time for his team. Timonen averaged only 9:25 of ice time in his 15 playoff games, but Duncan Keith can't log ALL of the minutes, right?
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann
