Western Conference Semi-Final Preview: Wings/Hawks

1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. 7. Detroit Red Wings
Season Series: 4-0-0 Blackhawks
It's the 15th playoff series in a rivalry that goes back more than 80 years, and the last between these two divisional opponents before Detroit moves to the East next season. The season series can be misleading as, aside from a 7-1 drubbing, the Hawks and Wings went into extra time in the other three games. Chicago has had some time to rest and refine their game, after ousting the Wild in the first round, while Detroit has had only two days off after their series against Anaheim went the distance. The Wings may be old, and the possibility exists that they're tired, but they will still prove a larger challenge to the number one seeded Hawks than the Wild did. Similarly, Detroit will face a much deeper offensive attack in round two, as well as much better goaltending. The top guns for the Hawks will improve, as I can't imagine Jonathan Towes and Patrick Kane going much longer without a goal, while the Wings will likely need Henrik Zetterberg (8 points) and Pavel Datsyuk (7 points) to continue to be at their best. Chicago boasts the edge on defense, as the Wings still look lost sometimes in the post-Lidstrom era. In the end it may come down to a special teams battle, as it so often does in the playoffs, where the Hawks again have the edge by not allowing a single power play goal against so far this post-season.

Key Players: 
Chicago - Patrick Sharp (5 goals)
Chicago - Marian Hossa (6 points)
Chicago - Corey Crawford (1.32 gaa, .950 save percentage)
Detroit - Henrik Zetterberg (3 goals, 5 assists)
Detroit - Pavel Datsyuk (7 points)
Detroit - Jimmy Howard (2.74 gaa, .911 save percentage)

Prediction: 4-2 Blackhawks
Aside from special teams, much of the outcome of this series will be determined by the goalies. In all likelihood Crawford's number will go down, while Howards should improve. If that doesn't happen, this will be a very very short series for the Wings, as they simply don't boast the depth on offense that Chicago has. It's kinda funny, the speedy, puck-possession game the Wings used so effectively for years to win championships is now being perfectly employed by the Hawks. Detroit will have to do everything they can to match it if they want to make it past the second round for the first time since their 2009 Stanley Cup Final appearance.