Experts weigh in on Hawks-Ducks series
The Blackhawks now have an opponent for their Western Conference finals, the Anaheim Ducks, which means hockey media across North America already are breaking down the tale of the tape.
As each team prepares for the series, the Daily Herald was curious about what some analysts, pundits and beat writers from around the country think of the matchup. Here's a glance:
What is your perception of the Hawks at this point and has it changed since the regular season ended?
"I think it has changed, only because you saw how they dispatched Minnesota. That really was a signal to the rest of the league that this team is the Blackhawks team of old." - Josh Cooper, staff writer for Puck Daddy blog on Yahoo!
"My perception hasn't changed. I picked the Blackhawks to win the Stanley Cup before the playoffs began and I still feel they're the favorite to win it. Where my perception has shifted is the opposite side of that series, with the Anaheim Ducks.
"I wasn't sold on them and actually had them losing to the Jets in the first round. I was completely wrong, and I think they're going to provide Chicago with the biggest test they've seen yet in the playoffs." - Craig Custance, NHL Insider, ESPN.com
What do you see being the biggest keys to the Hawks beating the Ducks?
"What Chicago's going to have to do is limit the impact of that second line for Anaheim. Ryan Kesler has proved to be exactly what (Ducks general manager) Bob Murray wanted when he tried to trade for him last March at the trade deadline. He didn't get him then. He did get him over the summer from Vancouver and Kesler's doing everything the Ducks wanted." - Eric Stephens, Ducks beat writer, Orange County Register
"To me, it's speed. Anaheim has struggled with speed teams over the last couple years. The Hawks are a little slower in some spots than they've been in the past, but they still have speed. If they can use that, they can really give Anaheim a lot of problems and avoid some of the physical play." - Nick Cotsonika, NHL columnist, @cotsonika
"I think they have to take advantage of the inexperience of the Ducks in situations, particularly in goal. Frederik Andersen is playing goal for Anaheim. He's a good goaltender, but very untested in this situation." - Adam Vignan, Predators beat writer, Nashville Tennessean
What kind of series do you think it's going to be and how do you see it shaking out?
"It's a series with star power. It's a series that has panache. It has two big markets and I just think it's going to be a great series to watch." - Josh Cooper, staff writer, Puck Daddy blog at Yahoo!
"I think the Hawks are going to win it, but I think it's going to be a deep series. I think this one can go seven games. The team that plays its game better is going to be the team that's going to win, and I just think the Hawks are better than every team in the NHL when they play their game." - Dan Rosen, senior staff writer, NHL.com
"One for the ages. It'll be new turf for most of the Ducks and old stuff for the Hawks, who will get a physical test this time. Both teams got what champs always need, which is a short series and rest. The resilient wills of Jonathan Toews and Ryan Getzlaf will be a treat to watch. Both deliver when a big goal is needed by either shooting or slipping a pass through.
"Bryan Bickell has been a horse and will continue to be sidebar significant, while Patrick Kane and Corey Perry will shoot out the lights. Who wouldn't want to see a best-of-9? Oh … maybe the players after all that travel." - Mike "Doc" Emrick, NBC's lead NHL broadcaster.