The Anaheim Ducks and the Chicago Blackhawks have both advanced to face each other in the Western Conference Finals.
The Western Conference Finals will be a brutal match between two seemingly unstoppable teams, the Anaheim Ducks and the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks are coming off a sweep over the Minnesota Wild and hold an 8-2 postseason record. The Ducks swept the Winnipeg Jets in the first round and have an 8-1 postseason record. It’s clear neither of them are going to go down easy.
Each of these teams feature strong leadership on their lines with plenty of offensive talent. The Blackhawks are a little bit more of a puck possession team, using their speed and talented stick handlers to generate plays. The Ducks are more of a dump and chase kind of team, using their size to tire out opponents and steal the puck.
Whatever it is, it works for both of them. They are the top two teams left in the playoffs in terms of goals for per game, Anaheim with 3.89 and Chicago with 3.20. Where Anaheim is really outplaying Chicago in the playoffs, is special teams.
The Ducks are the best team this postseason on the power-play with a 31 percent success rate, the Blackhawks are just at 20 percent. Anaheim’s also the best team remaining in the playoffs on the penalty-kill with an 87.1 percent success rate, Chicago is the worst of the remaining teams with just 72.7 percent.
Also, the big name players for the Ducks are performing and don’t seem to be slowing down. Corey Perry leads the postseason in points with 15 and is tied for second in goals with seven (tied with Patrick Kane actually). Ducks captain Ryan Getzlef isn’t far behind him in points either. However, facing Chicago’s defense won’t be an easy feat for Anaheim.
The defensive stats for the Blackhawks this postseason are a little misleading. After struggling in their first series against the Nashville Predators, they’re playing more like themselves on the blue line and in between the pipes. A sweep over a strong Minnesota Wild team is all the proof you need.
An inspirational Duncan Keith, who has the top SAT among the two teams, and his fellow defenseman seemed to renew a spark in their Round 2 matchup. Their aggressive play has picked back up and I’m not talking about checking people into boards but, sliding on the ice to block shots, getting their sticks out there, breaking up passes and stealing pucks.
After getting benched in their first series, Corey Crawford seems to be back to normal. He only allowed seven goals out of 124 shots in their series against the Wild. Their offense continues to be relentless, especially Kane, who was questionable to play this postseason. He’s picked up a least one goal in his last five games, which makes it no surprise that he’s tied for second in goals this postseason with seven and is second in points with 12.
PLAYERS TO LOOK FOR:
This one is pretty predictable, but Anaheim’s Corey Perry has been a huge factor in his teams postseason success this year. If he continues to perform, he will prove to be a big challenge for Chicago’s defense and Crawford.
Chicago’s Antoine Vermette doesn’t put up numbers like the big names on this team, but his performance in the last round was incredible. He’s making really smart plays, many generating scoring opportunities and that’s how this team will beat the Ducks. They can’t make any mistakes or give up any pucks.
INJURIES:
Anaheim’s Corey Perry is suffering a minor right knee injury but is expected to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Chicago’s Michal Rozsival will be out 12-to-16 weeks after fracturing his ankle in Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild.
PREDICTION:
This series is going to be incredibly intense. Both are very experienced teams with a lot of talent. They are relentless to say the least. However, if the Blackhawks continue to play the way they did in their series against the Wild, this Anaheim team just won’t cut it. I’m taking Chicago in 7.
SCHEDULE:
GAME 1: May 17, Anaheim vs. Chicago 3:00ET/2:00CT NBC
GAME 2: May 19, Anaheim vs. Chicago 9:00ET/8:00CT NBCSN
GAME 3: May 21, Anaheim @ Chicago 8:00ET/7:00CT NBCSN
GAME 4: May 23, Anaheim @ Chicago 8:00ET/7:00CT NBC
IF GAME 5: May 25, Anaheim vs. Chicago 9:00ET/8:00CT NBCSN
IF GAME 6: May 27, Anaheim @ Chicago 8:00ET/7:00CT NBCSN
IF GAME 7: May 30, Anaheim vs. Chicago 8:00ET/7:00CT NBCSN
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