#2 Seed VS. #7 Seed
Analysis: This series kicks off Friday night in Chicago and features the #2 seed Blackhawks against the #7 seed Nashville Predators. The Blackhawks battled with San Jose all season for the top seed and came up just short in overtime against Detroit. Anticipate Pat Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, and Marion Hossa to all dominate offensively and create tons of problems for the Predators defence. Everyone knows what these players bring to the table what will be interesting will be to see how the complementary players of Chicago will contribute. Watch for Dave Bolland and Andrew Ladd to contribute offensively as well. For the Predators watch for forward Patric Hornqvist to have a coming out party this postseason and make advancements for the future. On defence the Blackhawks are stacked with Norris trophy candidate Duncan Keith and fellow D partner Brent Seabrook. The Predators also have defensive studs in Shea Weber and Ryan Suter who both play a punishing physical game and have heavy shots. The one question mark about the Blackhawks is in net although Antti Niemi has earned the starting nod with quality starts after the Olympic break. Pekka Rinne has been solid all season for the Preds after finishing third in the league in shutouts. Niemi won’t have to stand on his head to win any games in this series because of the powerful Blackhawk offence.

Prediction: Nashville has had a decent season and will continue to improve for the future. While I think it is possible that they may steal one I think the series will end in a Blackhawk sweep. CHICAGO IN 4.

Key Players: Blackhawks: Kane, Toews, Hossa, Sharp, Keith, And Seabrook. Predators: Hornqvist, Sullivan, Weber, Suter, Rinne.