The Chicago Blackhawks, 2010 Stanley Cup winners, beat the 2012 Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings in double-overtime, 4-3, in Game 5, thanks to a goal by Patrick Kane.  These Blackhawks are hot as a pistol right now.  They were down 1-3 to rival Detroit and won three straight to advance to the conference finals, and then did what no one has done since the start of last year's playoffs, run the Kings out of the building.

Corey Crawford is the most underrated goalie in the NHL right now and made all the big stops for Chicago.  The Blackhawks play every style of hockey.  They can score and hit and defend and work special teams to a tee.

Jonathan Toews and Kane and Duncan Keith are the studs on this team and must keep it going if Chicago is to raise Lord Stanley for the second time in four years.

It won't be easy.  Chicago takes on Original 6 brother Boston, a team that wears down the opposition better than anyone in NHL history.  Zdeno Chara is the Bruins' shutdown guy who will cause havoc for the Hawks by matching-up with any number of superstar players.

The Stanley Cup Finals are here.  Blackhawks and Bruins.  Bruins and Blackhawks.  Original 6.  Two of the best logos in sports.  Two of the best uniforms in sports.  Two huge markets.  Two excited fan bases.

And the NHL couldn't be happier.

By:  Mike Lindsley, "Mid-Day with Mike," 1-4, Yankees pre/post game host on 104.5 The Team ESPN Radio.  Follow him on Twitter @MikeLSports.  

More From 104.5 THE TEAM