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The first round is over and now it is time for the Western Conference Semifinals to ignite in full force. The NHL received a gift as they have two major rivalries getting ready to unfold. Before the preview of each series begins, let’s take a look at last round’s predictions and what happened in the Quarterfinals.
Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks in 4
Result: Chicago Blackhawks in 5
Throughout the whole series, the Minnesota Wild fell on bad luck. In pregame warm-ups prior to Game 1, their starting goaltender Nicklas Backstrom injured himself extending to make a save off a rebound. It was Josh Harding, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, who had to start without being fully prepared mentally. Harding did his job, but later on in the series, he suffered an injury as well. So Houston Aeroes’ recall Darcy Kuemper came in for relief, but was unable to help the Wild win the series.
The Blackhawks capitalized on every chance they had. It wasn’t a fun series to watch because of how one sided it was, with the exception to Game 3 when the Wild won 3-2 in overtime. Chicago’s skill outmatched the Wild’s defense, as was expected. Wild coach Mike Yeo would probably like at least one more Ryan Suter in the lineup in order to shut down the likes of Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane.
Prediction: Detroit Red Wings in 7
Result: Detroit Red Wings in 7
This series was interesting. The way the games went was Anaheim won, Detroit won, Anaheim, then Detroit and so forth until the Red Wings were able to break that trend in Game 7. Detroit head coach Mike Babcock set the game plan in Game 7 to separate Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. Babcock ended up with that plan sticking throughout the game because it worked.
The worst thing about the result of this series was that Game 7 may have been Teemu Selanne’s final NHL game. After the handshakes, Selanne was tearing up while saluting the fans at the Honda Center.
Prediction: Vancouver Canucks in 7
Result: San Jose Sharks in 4
Who could have seen this coming? The Vancouver Canucks had a complete meltdown this series and their GM Mike Gillis did not like the result one bit. Expect Roberto Luongo to be shipped out this summer with head coach Alain Vigneault heading out as well. Cory Schneider is now under pressure due to his questionable performance in Game 3 and 4. Things aren’t well in British Columbia.
The Sharks were playing a much more physical game than the Canucks. Only few teams can do that and when a team can, the Canucks do not respond well to the adversity.
Prediction: St. Louis Blues in 6
Result: LA Kings in 6
It took a while for the Kings to get going, but once they returned to SoCal in Game 3, their play started coming together. Los Angeles was able to win four straight games against St. Louis from Game 3 to Game 6.
For some reason the Blues were not the same after Game 2. Their physicality was impressive in the first two games at the Scottrade Center, but afterwards they looked tired. The only excuse, which really isn’t one, is that the Blues’ bodies were just worn out opposed to LA’s. In a way, that showed the immaturity of St. Louis of not preparing for a long series physically and mentally.
#1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #7 Detroit Red Wings
In an Original Six bout, the Chicago Blackhawks enter this series with a long five day break, while the Detroit Red Wings was rewarded with a one day rest after winning a series in seven games in Anaheim. For some teams, a flow of schedule is good, but it also helps to have some rest before a big step to raise the Stanley Cup.
Luckily for those in Detroit, including the players, the games require less travel and the time zones aren’t as nearly as radical as last series.
Corey Crawford showed some shakiness against Minnesota in round one. Some of the goals scored him were questionable and ones he could have stopped. It will be players like Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Damien Brunner who will be able to get the best of Crawford.
A problem the Red Wings will face until Danny Dekeyser regains his health is the depth on defense. Joel Quenneville rolls all four lines and separating Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson could be a viable option for Mike Babcock. Kyle Quincey and Brendan Smith will have to step up in order to shut down the Blackhawk’s third and fourth line gritty offensive production.
The X-factor for Chicago will have to be Crawford. If he stands tall and stops the shots he should, the Red Wings will have zero chance of winning this series. For Detroit, their X-factor is Valtteri Filppula. He seems to play better on the wing rather than center with Henrik Zetterberg. Their major offensive production could come from that line, while Datsyuk’s job would be to frustrate Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.
Prediction: Blackhawks in 6
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| Gary A. Vasquez/US Presswire |
#4 Los Angeles Kings vs. #6 San Jose Sharks
This series is being donned as “The Battle of California”. Staples Center and HP Pavilion are five and a half hours apart, 343.16 miles away and a drive down I-5 away from each building.
Both teams enter the series streaking winning their last four games. San Jose was able to pull off the rare sweep, while Los Angeles was capable of bouncing back from a 2-0 series deficit to win the series in six games.
LA has the experience and knows what it takes to get past this round. However, it will be more difficult than their series against the Blues. San Jose wants this win and to get into the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time and will take any means necessary to do so.
The Sharks and Kings are similar teams. Both are physical, have scoring depth and excellent goaltenders. It may seem like it is the recipe for a long series, but it is not. Over the past few years, these types of series with replica teams will end short.
Jonathan Quick and Antti Niemi are two goalies with different styles. Quick’s is the most vulnerable because any goal scorer can shoot the puck in the upper part of the net and score. However, the American born netminder seems to avoid that situation too often. Niemi is much calmer in his crease than Quick. The Finnish goaltender isn’t prone to being in a panic situation; credit to the Sharks’ defense.
Raffi Torres has finally stopped being the goon that everyone hates and has become a productive pesky grinder who isn’t afraid to create plays by being physical.
LA’s X-factor is Jeff Carter, who is their go-to guy when trying to score goals. Carter already has three and will try to net more in this series. Logan Couture is San Jose’s X-factor. When Couture is hot it is hard to take control of the kid.
This series could go either way, but it will not be a six or seven game series.
Prediction: Sharks in 5
See the schedule on NHL.com. At the time of this post, the schedule hasn’t been fully released yet.
