Breaking down the NHL playoffs
It's about time Stanley Cup playoff hockey returned to Chicago. Let's not even count 2002, which was a one-year blip in the midst of the darkest times in franchise history.
These Blackhawks have a chance to do some damage this time around. In fact, this could be the start of some special years that sees a group of special players doing special things, such as winning a Stanley Cup.
Could it happen this spring? It's possible, though not likely. The Hawks have some issues on defense that likely will get exposed at some point. But goalie Nikolai Khabibulin will give the Hawks a chance to win every series they play.
Let the fun begin.
Western Conference
No. 1 San Jose vs. No. 8 Anaheim
Is this the year the Sharks bust through and win the Stanley Cup, or are they headed for another playoff flop? The pressure is on Joe Thornton to get the Sharks past the Ducks in what figures to be an incredibly tough first-round test.
Prediction: San Jose in six.
No. 2 Detroit vs. No. 7 Columbus
The Red Wings closed in a 2-5-1 funk, but they know how to turn it on when it counts. Goalie Chris Osgood is a question mark for Detroit and will need to be at his best in his matchup with Columbus rookie goaltender Steve Mason.
Prediction: Detroit in six.
No. 3 Vancouver vs. No. 6 St. Louis
Two of the hottest teams collide with each finishing the regular season on a 15-5-2 run. The Canucks are going to be tough to beat thanks to Roberto Luongo in goal and an explosive offense led by Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who have become stars.
Prediction: Vancouver in five.
No. 4 Blackhawks vs. No. 5 Calgary
In what figures to be an even series, the Flames will try to rattle the young Hawks with physical play. The Hawks will need to hit back. Chicago has the edge in goal with Nikolai Khabibulin and offensively with three lines that can score. The Flames are banged up on defense.
Prediction: Hawks in seven.
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Boston vs. No. 8 Montreal
There's no way the Canadiens win this series. Boston won the season series 5-1 and has too much up front and on defense, led by Zdeno Chara. Bruins goalie Tim Thomas is a cut above Montreal's Carey Price.
Prediction: Boston in five.
No. 2 Washington vs. No. 7 New York Rangers
This could be an upset if Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist outplays the Caps' Jose Theodore. The Rangers must figure out a way to contain Alex Ovechkin, something nobody has been able to do so far. The Capitals are better than people think.
Prediction: Washington in seven games.
No. 3 New Jersey vs. No. 6 Carolina
The Devils slipped badly defensively down the stretch while the Hurricanes closed 15-5-2. This could be a series settled by the goaltenders and few have been playing better than Carolina's Cam Ward, who already has led the Hurricanes to one Stanley Cup.
Prediction: Carolina in seven.
No. 4 Pittsburgh vs. No. 5 Philadelphia
This could be the best first-round series of the bunch. The Penguins closed 16-3-3 and have something the Flyers don't in the dynamic 1-2 punch of Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Flyers goalie Martin Biron is on the spot to deliver.
Prediction: Pittsburgh in six.
The rest of the way -
San Jose over Blackhawks; Detroit over Vancouver.
Boston over Carolina; Pittsburgh over Washington.
San Jose over Detroit; Boston over Pittsburgh.
Stanley Cup Finals: Boston over San Jose.