This is another series that should draw a large audience due to the uprising of the young and talented Chicago Blackhawks up against the used to be Stanley Cup favorites. It will be tough to predict a winner in this match-up because these two teams finished with 46 victories a piece during the regular season. The Blackhawks do a hold an edge in road wins with 22, compared to Calgary’s 19, and that could go a long way. For Chicago, they have home ice advantage and that could spell another first round exit for the Calgary Flames.
It won’t be an easy task playing in Chicago for games 1 and 2 to open up the series, because the Blackhawks led the league in attendance and sellouts this season. With over 22 000 guaranteed screaming fans packed into the United Center, the Flames will struggle.
Then you could also add in the fact that the Blackhawks have an explosive team that could really score led by Captain Jonathan Toews (34 goals), Martin Havlat (77 points), Patrick Kane (70 points), Patrick Sharp (26 goals) and Kris Versteeg (22 goals). To support those players, David Bolland, Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien all had solid breakout seasons.
On the defensive end, the Blackhawks have one of the best young, solid and rising defensive groups in Cam Barker, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith. With the most experience and best scoring touch is Brian Campbell, and you cannot say enough about that whole group.
The playoff experience may not be there for the Blackhawks, but the way they play, they don’t need it and will fit right in. Where the Blackhawks are experienced is between the pipes with Stanley Cup champion Nikolai Khabibulin. Down the stretch, Khabibulin has really been sharp in net, and if he doesn’t play well, Chicago could always turn to Cristobal Huet with ease.
As for the Flames, they come into the playoffs in a bit of a slump. Ever since they lost their eleven point lead in the division, things have kept on going down hill. Injuries piled up with Dion Phaneuf, Robyn Regehr and joined Todd Bertuzzi, Rene Bourque, and Mark Giordano on the shelf.
Phaneuf, Bourque and Bertuzzi should be back for game 1, but the Flames are still missing plenty of regulars and that will hurt them, especially with Regehr out of the lineup who is an anchor on the blue line.
The trade deadline acquisition of Olli Jokinen really put the Flames as favorites for the Stanley Cup and after a scorching start since joining the Flames. Jokinen has not scored in the final thirteen games of the season. Even though the Flames can roll out three decent lines, scoring will be a problem. Captain Jarome Iginla along with Mike Cammalleri will have to bare a lot of the scoring burden.
Goaltending was also a strong suit for the Flames, during the regular season, yes. Come playoff time, Miikka Kiprusoff is gassed and can’t win the series on his own, and will need help. That will be tough to get from an injury depleted defense. The year the Flames made that magical run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2004, Kiprusoff only started 53 games. This season and just like last, Kiprusoff played in 70+ games, and this season started 76.
For a strong offensive team in the Blackhawks, the Flames will have a tough time stopping the Chicago attacks. Heading into this series, the Flames are underdogs and that couldn’t be more of a correct title.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 7 GAMES ON THE STRENGTH OF A COMPLETE TEAM EFFORT AND GOOD HEALTH, SOMETHING THAT CANNOT BE SAID FOR THE CALGARY FLAMES.
*IF CALGARY CAN WIN GAMES 1 AND 5 THEY WILL WIN THE SERIES.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment