Blackhawks Vs. Canucks

#2 Seed VS. #3 Seed
Analysis: This series opens up Saturday night in Chicago and features the 2nd seeded Hawks against the 3rd seeded Canucks. This has got to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the playoffs so far, after having Chicago eliminated the higher seeded Canucks in last year’s post season. Both of these teams also featured struggles in the first round, but both ended up winning in 6. For the Hawks the struggles centered around the goaltending of Anti Niemi, whose play so far has got me confused because he either gets a shut out or allows 4+ goals. He needs to figure it out this series or else the Canucks will light him up and it will be a quick series. For the Canucks the struggles centered on taking penalties and the penalty kill which was quite poor. The first line of the Canucks is scary and all had impressive series points wise against the Kings. However after that there isn’t much to be scared about as the lower lines generally haven’t put up many points. The lower lines of the Canucks will need to step up if the Canucks hope to advance. Kane and Toews continue to lead the way in the scoring department for the Hawks, and Kane has always had Luongo’s number so that should create an interesting matchup for the Canucks defence. Having Hossa and Sharp also give the Hawks more scoring depth than the Canucks which could prove to be huge in this series. Duncan Keith didn’t have a very good series point wise but after a strong game 6 I anticipate this will change and he will light the lamp against the Canucks. Success for the Canucks revolves around keeping composed both on and off the ice, talk around the league “out to get” the Canucks early in the first series is not the type of talk that a team in the post season needs around them. They need to figure out the penalty kill and seriously miss shot blocking hero Ryan Johnson. Should be interesting in watching which off season acquisition plays the bigger role Samuelsson or Hossa.

Prediction: This is going to be a wild series; I anticipate it to be high flying with a ton of offence. Niemi scares me and the Hawks success clearly will rise and fall with his play. Luongo always has a heavy load and the added games of the Olympics could be tiring him out, if the Canucks lose, watch for him to be on the receiving end of the blame. I think the Hawks have the firepower to eliminate the Canucks but it comes down to Niemi, I think he can figure it out and lead the Hawks to victory. CHICAGO IN 7.

Key Players: Blackhawks: Kane, Toews, Hossa, Sharp, Keith, And Seabrook. Predators: Luongo, Sedin’s, Samuelsson.