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Hockey Sun May 12 2013
Making The Case For San Jose and Detroit
Detroit Red Wings
NHL realignment will make these two long-time rivals distant cousins. Blackhawks fans along with hockey purists would love to see these Original Six rivals duke it out one last time on a regular basis. The Stanley Cup semifinals would be a good place to end such a bitter rivalry on the high note. Expect the pace to be ratcheted up for the aforementioned reasons. Even though the Blackhawks have had their way with the Red Wings this season, don't expect more of the same. It should be noted that Detroit has taken a team in Anaheim, whom the Blackhawks lost to three times this season, to a seventh game. The coaching staff has to have their eye on that. That could be one of the reasons Coach Joel Quenneville switched up the lines in yesterday's practice. Brandon Saad and Viktor Stalberg were removed from the top four lines. PREDICTION: Blackhawks in five.
San Jose Sharks
The last time the Chicago Blackhawks faced the San Jose Sharks in the playoffs, they on their way the to the Stanley Cup finals. This time around,the goalie who helped them get there, Antti Niemi ,is now a Vezina Trophy finalist with the Sharks. Also, Raffi Torres is now on the team. Expect for Torres to get booed as soon as the steps onto the United Center ice. San Jose is a lot more physical than than Detriot is. San Jose will use physical play to get the Blackhawks off of their game. That is what most teams do when the want to rattle their cage.The most offensively gifted team will win the series eventually. That will be the men wearing the sweater with the Indian head on it. PREDICTION: Blackhawks in six.
Either way, a formidable opponent will stand in the way of postseason greatness for the Madison Street Hockey Club.
Detroit Red Wings
NHL realignment will make these two long-time rivals distant cousins. Blackhawks fans along with hockey purists would love to see these Original Six rivals duke it out one last time on a regular basis. The Stanley Cup semifinals would be a good place to end such a bitter rivalry on the high note. Expect the pace to be ratcheted up for the aforementioned reasons. Even though the Blackhawks have had their way with the Red Wings this season, don't expect more of the same. It should be noted that Detroit has taken a team in Anaheim, whom the Blackhawks lost to three times this season, to a seventh game. The coaching staff has to have their eye on that. That could be one of the reasons Coach Joel Quenneville switched up the lines in yesterday's practice. Brandon Saad and Viktor Stalberg were removed from the top four lines. PREDICTION: Blackhawks in five.
San Jose Sharks- The last time the Chicago Blackhawks faced the San Jose Sharks in the playoffs, they on their way the to the Stanley Cup finals. This time around,the goalie who helped them get there, Antti Niemi ,is now a Vezina Trophy finalist with the Sharks. Also, Raffi Torres is now on the team. Expect for Torres to get booed as soon as the steps onto the United Center ice. San Jose is a lot more physical than than Detriot is. San Jose will use physical play to get the Blackhawks off of their game. That is what most teams do when the want to rattle their cage.The most offensively gifted team will win the series eventually. That will be the men wearing the sweater with the Indian head on it. PREDICTION: Blackhawks in six
Either way, a formidable opponent will stand in the way of postseason greatness for the Madison Street Hockey Club.