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Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2: Blackhawks vs. Wild

By Lauren Lapka

Apr 9, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defensemN Nate Prosser (39) and defenseman Ryan Suter (20) attempt to block a shot against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defensemN Nate Prosser (39) and defenseman Ryan Suter (20) attempt to block a shot against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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PLAYERS TO LOOK FOR

Chicago’s Bryan Bickell is known for being a ‘“playoff player” and will take it to another level against Minnesota. His play against the Wild has been all the talk heading into this series. In his past three years, Bickell has logged seven goals and three assists in 11 playoff games against them.

Minnesota’s goalie will make or break this series. If Dubnyk shuts down Chicagos strong offense and Crawford continues to struggle, the Wild will be able to win this series through their defense.

 

INJURIES

Chicago’s Trevor van Riemsdyk is still out with a wrist injury he sustained in early April. Kris Versteeg missed practice Thursday with a lower body injury; he’s considered day-to-day. Minnesota is completely healthy aside from Keith Ballard who they lost for the season back in early December.

 

PREDICTION

This will be a brutal series with a lot of back and forth. I believe Chicago’s ability to shut out Zach Parise will give them a huge offensive advantage. I also believe they will turn their defense around. It will be a crawl to the finish, but I’m taking Blackhawks in 7.

SCHEDULE

GAME 1: May 1, Chicago vs. Minnesota 9:30ET/8:30CT NBCSN

GAME 2: May 3,  Chicago vs. Minnesota 8:30ET/7:30CT NBCSN

GAME 3: May 5, Chicago @ Minnesota 8:00ET/7:00CT NBCSN

GAME 4: May 7, Chicago @ Minnesota 9:30ET/8:30CT NBCSN

IF GAME 5: May 9, Chicago vs. Minnesota 7:00ET/6:00CT NBCSN

IF GAME 6: May 11, Chicago @ Minnesota TBA

IF GAME 7: May 13, Chicago vs. Minnesota TBA

For more of my videos, check out my author page here. Now that you know what my thoughts on it are, let me know what you think in the comments below or send me a tweet on the interwebs @LaurenLapka

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