Besides the Sidney Crosby versus Alexander Ovechkin series, the NHL couldn’t have asked for anything better than an Original Six showdown between two US hockey markets that actually work for the league. The battle between the veteran savvy and championship caliber Red Wings versus the young and solid Blackhawks will provide for great hockey. This age old rivalry should be rekindled in their upcoming series to decide the champions in the Western conference.
Hockey is back and alive in the city of Chicago, and if the Winter Classic warranted new fans into the Blackhawk circle, this playoff drive should see even more fans come aboard. The Blackhawks are proving everyone wrong out there, and are just four wins away from a berth in the Stanley Cup Final. It is safe to label these Blackhawks as the comeback kids in these playoffs. In the first round versus the Flames, the Blackhawks could’ve easily been down 2-0, but thanks to some late game heroics they fought back to take two games to zero lead, and promptly won in six games. Versus the Canucks in the second round and against a world class goaltender in Roberto Luongo, the young Blackhawks were down 2-0, but again came back and won four straight games. In game six the Blackhawks shelled Roberto Luongo for seven goals in a two goal win in the deciding sixth game in Chicago.
The key in both of those series’ were home ice, and the Blackhawks have made good use of the United Center crowd so far in these playoffs and are 6-0 at home. Their road record could use some work, but have come up big in road games that counted the most. Such as game six in Calgary to clinch the series, and game five in Vancouver to take a 3-2 series lead into Chicago. Overall, they are 2-4 on the road, which means they have to win at home if they wish to dethrone the Red Wings.
Goaltending is all everyone wants to talk about when the Red Wings enter the conversation. Chris Osgood has been good, not great. If he was slightly better, the Red Wings would not have needed seven games to knock off the Ducks. In the upcoming series, the Blackhawks are way ahead in goaltending with Nikolai Khabibulin who returned to his old form from 2004 when he backstopped the Lighting to capture the Stanley Cup. This time around, Osgood has to be great if the Red Wings want to compete in the Finals once again.
The Blackhawks have plenty of snipers, and are riding on their youth and fresh energy, which has done them well. The Red Wings defense is up to the task and will be able to handle the Blackhawks. Again, it all comes down to goaltending, and it looks like Osgood isn’t up to the task. Coming the other way, the Red Wings are just as loaded on offense, but the Blackhawks have the goaltending. The Blackhawks do still have a young a defense, and the Red Wings should be able to expose their weaknesses.
So far in these playoffs, the Blackhawks are getting stronger each game, and are growing with each game. In the Red Wings defense, they are the defending champions, and should easily get by the Blackhawks.
In the end, Chicago is on another level, they never quit in any game, they are never down and out, and they have that heart and soul. The team has captured the imagination and minds of the whole city. Playing in Chicago will be tough for the Red Wings, but they are a solid group. It has been mentioned time and time again, goaltending wins in the playoffs. The Red Wings are so good; they didn’t need the greatest goaltending in the world to escape the first two rounds. This time, they will need great goaltending, Chris Osgood has shown he can be great, but that was in the past, and has not shown it in this year’s playoff.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN SIX GAMES AND TOTALLY SURPRISE THE RED WINGS AND NHL. THE SPEED AND YOUTH OF THE BLACKHAWKS WILL SLOW DOWN THE VETERAN RED WINGS. THE BLACKHAWKS MUST BE PERFECT AT HOME ONCE AGAIN IN ORDER TO WIN THIS SERIES.
*THE ONLY WAY THE DETROIT RED WINGS COULD WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY GO PERFECT AT HOME AND WIN AT LEAST ONE GAME ON THE ROAD, BECAUSE WE HAVE ALL SEEN THE BLACKHAWKS RISE UP AND WIN BIG GAMES ON THE ROAD.
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.
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