Mike Brophy

Veteran hockey columnist Mike Brophy writes Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday on Sportsnet.ca and appears regularly on Hockeycentral.

Marian Hossa.

In a playoff year when it has been extremely difficult to predict what will happen night-to-night, here are six things to look for in a Game 6.

HOME, SWEET HOME:

Can Michael Leighton continue his magic at the Wachovia Center? Although he is considered a liability in the Flyers quest to win their first Stanley Cup since 1975, Leighton is a perfect 6-0 at home.

Further, he has the best goals-against average (2.34) in the playoffs, leads the post-season in shutouts (three) and is second in save percentage (.918.

Numbers, however, can be deceiving. Leighton is what he is: A journeyman stopper hoping and praying he has two more wins in him this season. The Flyers need him to continue to pull rabbits out of hats at home if they want to force a Game 7 in Chicago Friday night.

BUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON:

After being held to a single assist in the first four games of the final, Chicago’s hulking winger, Dustin Byfuglien, exploded for two goals and four points in Game 5.

That prompted Philadelphia defenceman Chris Pronger, who had a close-up view of all Byfuglien’s points to say, "He was well rested." Byfuglien tends to disappear for long stretches and despite his size, he generally isn’t a physical force (although he did tattoo Pronger last game).

It must be noted, he has been pretty good on the road in the playoffs. Six of his 10 goals have come away from home.

CALLING ON CARTER

Jeff Carter has had a rough season in terms of injuries, but that doesn’t change the fact the Flyers need him to step up if they hope to win the Cup. Assuming he is playing hurt, Carter has been limited to just five goals and seven points (minus-4) in 11 games and he has just one goal, an empty-netter, in the final. The Stanley Cup final is littered with stories of injured players who have dug down deep to make monstrous contributions to their teams and Carter needs to add his name to the list.

Carter isn’t alone in terms of stars that have not put up big numbers in the final this year, but he can be a difference-maker if he kicks it into gear.

HIT PARADE

A lot was made about the fact the Blackhawks targeted the Flyers’ defence in Game 4 in an effort to wear down the team’s top four which gobbles up most of the ice time. Some wondered what took them so long? The question is, can they do it on the road? There is a big difference between playing brave and dictating the style of play at home and duplicating it on the road; especially in Philadelphia where road teams often come across as intimidated.

The Flyers, meanwhile, should be expected to come out banging and will likely try to turn the tables on their opponents, targeting the likes of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Byfuglien and Duncan Keith.

CHRIS CROSSED

After going minus-5, and by his own admission, claiming the green jacket in reference to his golf-like numbers in Game 4, Philadelphia defenceman Chris Pronger will be looking to get himself back into contention for the Conn Smythe Trophy.

He has been, after all, one of the most dominant individuals in this year’s playoffs and leads all defenceman in scoring with four goals and 17 points in 22 games. Pronger, and the rest of his teammates for that matter, could not be faulted for their minus ratings last game when their goaltenders couldn’t make routine saves.

Still, the minus-5 hangs out there like a big pimple on your nose on prom night. You just know Pronger will do everything in his power to erase the memory of Game 5.

MAID MARIAN

He has been a bridesmaid the past two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings. Is this finally the year Marian Hossa wins the Cup?

Hossa was pretty much invisible in the first three rounds and then had four points in the first three games of the final. However, he has been pointless in the past two games.

Hossa is a great player, no question about it. But considering he is on the first year of a 12-year contract, a deal that could be a killer in a salary cap world, it would help ease the pain if he were to make a major contribution to Chicago’s first championship since 1961.