Despite all the firepower, defense will be big factor
Troy Murray, who spent 12 years of a 15-year career with the Blackhawks and now is the team's color analyst on WGN 720-AM, offers his perspective on the Blackhawks-Red Wings series.
Q: Do you see this series being a high-flying, high-scoring affair?
Murray: I think there will be a lot of offensive chances, but I think everybody will be a little surprised how well this series will be played defensively. I think each team respects the offensive power both these teams can generate, but I think the key is which team plays better defensively overall.
Q: So that makes Detroit goalie Chris Osgood a key to the series, right?
Murray: He's a huge key, but so is Nikolai Khabibulin. If you look at the last time Detroit was beat in the playoffs it was beaten by (Anaheim's) Jean-Sebastien Giguere, I think, when he was spectacular.
You're going to have to get through Detroit's team defense first, and then you're going to have to beat Chris Osgood, who defies all odds in terms of people saying he can't get it done. We know when he has to make a save and the game is on the line, he's as good as anybody.
Q: Are these two defenses being overlooked?
Murray: Absolutely. Both teams are great defensively. The offense for both teams starts with great defensive structure and good defensive plays, and when you have a guy like Nicklas Lidstrom back there -- similar to Brian Campbell or Duncan Keith -- they make such a great first pass that you don't notice how well defensively they're playing because they nullify the other team's offensive chances just by moving the puck.
It's a different type of defense, but at the same time it's as good as any big defensive team like Vancouver.
Q: Both Detroit and the Blackhawks have shown a lot of restraint during the playoffs when things started to get chippy. Do you see that continuing?
Murray: I think that's crucial. Both teams in the playoffs have been very successful on the power play -- the top two overall. It's important for both teams to be very smart and very disciplined.
Yet for the Blackhawks the way they played physically against Calgary and Vancouver is something they have to continue doing.
Q: OK Troy, how much of a chance do you give the Blackhawks in this series?
Murray: I think they have a very good chance, but at the same time, being close and beating the Red Wings is the key. Anaheim played very well. That series easily could have gone either way … but it didn't.
If you just look at the X-factor, that goes to the Red Wings and the experience they have. I've always said that even though San Jose was the No. 1-ranked team in the Western Conference, the Stanley Cup goes through Detroit. Until a team beats Detroit, close just isn't good enough.
Mike Spellman interviews Troy Murray before each playoff game. Murray is in his sixth season as color analyst for Blackhawks radio broadcasts on WGN 720-AM.
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