Expectations High As Blackhawks Enter Playoffs
By Rob Winn in News on Apr 30, 2013 4:00PM
Image via NBC Sports Network/NHL.com screengrab
The Chicago Blackhawks enter the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs with expectations at an all-time high. The team earned the Presidents' Trophy for the most points in the league, the Jennings Trophy for least goals allowed and features a host of candidates for individual awards. But no professional league values regular season achievements less than the NHL. Last year, the Kings squeezed into the eighth playoff spot, the same seed as the Hawks' first round opponent Minnesota, and rode a hot streak all the way to a Stanley Cup victory.
However, this first round matchup with the Wild is considerably less dangerous for the Hawks. Despite a spending spree in the offseason, the Wild have never been a serious contender in 2013. For most of the year they swayed in and out of playoff contention, but they made it in and that's all that matters.
This year's playoff run is all about the Blackhawks living up to their potential. They've regained their dominant form from years past and have proven they can beat any team in the Western Conference. A huge key for the Blackhawks will be the play of their third line. The combination of speed and physicality has been a tough matchup for any team they faced. Andrew Shaw, Viktor Stalberg and Bryan Bickell all scored nine goals in the shortened season and, when called upon, Marcus Krueger filled in nicely. With the top two lines facing the opposing team's best defensemen on a nightly basis, the third line will need to continue their great play to take the pressure off the stars.
Corey Crawford has taken a lot of crap throughout the season, mostly because anytime he had the slightest hiccup, Ray Emery stepped in and shined. But it was always Crawford's net to lose, especially since Emery missed several games down the stretch and has already been ruled out for Game 1. Detractors point to Crawford's up and down 2012 playoff run, but many forget that he out-played Roberto Luongo in the 2011 playoffs. As long as Crawford can avoid mental lapses, he should be fine in the playoffs. Especially considering the defense playing in front of him.
As individuals, the Blackhawks don't feature highlight-reel defensemen. Duncan Keith hasn't been a Norris Trophy contender for a few years and Brent Seabrook had an off year. But as a team, the Blackhawks are great. Throughout the year, and especially since coach Joel Quenneville shuffled the defensive pairings; they have consistently allowed less than 25 shots per game. Nick Leddy continues to come into his own and Johnny Oduya has been one of general manager Stan Bowman's best finds. Few teams have stars like Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa hustling on the defensive end, stealing pucks and stifling the opposing offense. Even Patrick Kane has become less of a liability. With great team defense, they should be able to out-score any team in the league.
The Blackhawks obviously have one of the most talented rosters in the league. If they are going to win the Stanley Cup this year, all they need to do is continue their stellar play from the regular season. But in the upset-friendly NHL playoffs, that is no easy task.