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After splitting the series in Phoenix, the Blackhawks will head home for game three of the Western Conference Quarterfinal.
SERIES STATS
After two games, the series has taken a different look than it did during the regular season. For the most part, it has been a positive turn for the Blackhawks in every category that they had trouble with in the past. They've improved their 5-on-5 play against Phoenix as well as upping their goals per game while their power-play has stayed around the same area as it always was.
Unfortunately, not is all well for the Hawks, which is no surprise considering the series has been split. Their face-off numbers have taken a dive after dominating Phoenix in the circle through the regular season. Also, evidence of their lowly ranked penalty-kill has crept back into their habits after shutting down Phoenix on the man advantage all season long.
If the Blackhawks can get their penalty-kill and face-off numbers back to the success they've had prior to this series, the 3.00 GPG should have no problem holding up to win the series. Although they have seen improvement in some areas, the Blackhawks need to put it all together if they want to edge in team play.
EDGE: PHOENIX COYOTES
GOALTENDERS
Mike Smith has played well, but when it comes to clutch, Corey Crawford has him beat so far in this series. Sure, Smith has a sparkling .937 save percentage as well as facing the most shots on goal per game average out of any team in the playoffs so far, but can he keep his head in the game when it counts?
Letting in a goal with 5 seconds remaining in the game isn't exactly where Phoenix wants him to be. It's clear that the Blackhawks have a simplified game plan: shoot the puck on net. This has skewed his save percentage favorably considering the quality of chances has been near the same.
Both goaltenders have given up 6 goals each, both goaltenders have a win under their belt, and both have been big factors in their teams success thus far. The question is, who has the edge so far in the series? I say it will take game three to find out.
EDGE: NONE
DEFENSEMAN
It's hard to argue with a defensive core that has contributed 6 points in 2 games. Brent Seabrook, Johnny Oduya, Duncan Keith, and Nick Leddy have pulled the anchor on the back-end when it comes down to providing offense for the team.
Seabrook alone has stuffed the stat sheet with hits, blocked shots, goals, assists, you name it. The only thing he hasn't done is win a face-off, mind you, he is a defenseman. Add a role of support in the form of Niklas Hjalmarsson, Sean O'Donnell, and Sami Lepisto (I hope we can insert Dylan Olsen among the names at some point soon), there should be no question that the Blackhawks topple over the Coyotes when it comes to access to quality defenseman.
In all areas of the game, the Blackhawks defensive core has simply out-produced the Coyotes crop of defenseman. Translating all the way to the other end of the rink, where Chicago has peppered Phoenix with almost 50 shots on net per game.
EDGE: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
FORWARDS
As stated before, the Blackhawks have peppered Smith with nearly 50 shots per game. A majority of these shots haven't necessarily been quality chances, but it does show that the puck is getting there. Both teams have scored the same amount of goals as their counterparts but if you want to look at puck possession, the Blackhawks have that.
Phoenix has been able to put on the pressure at times as well, but the majority of the play has been spent with the puck on Chicago's sticks. The only thing they have whiffed on is execution. Let's face it, if the Hawks were on, this series could have been a blow out. But with Marian Hossa struggling, Patrick Sharp beginning to find his game again, Viktor Stalberg getting the chances, it's only a matter of time before the puck goes in for these guys.
The opportunities are there, they just need to finish them. Funny, the hero last game was Bryan Bickell and Brandon Bollig. If that doesn't wake them up, nothing will. Never-the-less, even with missed chances (literal whiffs), the Blackhawks offensive units are still a huge step above the Coyotes.
EDGE: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
GAME THREE PREDICTION
My head says: 4-2 Hawks
My heart says: 5-1 Hawks
Via ASN
Click here to view the article
SERIES STATS
After two games, the series has taken a different look than it did during the regular season. For the most part, it has been a positive turn for the Blackhawks in every category that they had trouble with in the past. They've improved their 5-on-5 play against Phoenix as well as upping their goals per game while their power-play has stayed around the same area as it always was.
Unfortunately, not is all well for the Hawks, which is no surprise considering the series has been split. Their face-off numbers have taken a dive after dominating Phoenix in the circle through the regular season. Also, evidence of their lowly ranked penalty-kill has crept back into their habits after shutting down Phoenix on the man advantage all season long.
If the Blackhawks can get their penalty-kill and face-off numbers back to the success they've had prior to this series, the 3.00 GPG should have no problem holding up to win the series. Although they have seen improvement in some areas, the Blackhawks need to put it all together if they want to edge in team play.
EDGE: PHOENIX COYOTES
GOALTENDERS
Mike Smith has played well, but when it comes to clutch, Corey Crawford has him beat so far in this series. Sure, Smith has a sparkling .937 save percentage as well as facing the most shots on goal per game average out of any team in the playoffs so far, but can he keep his head in the game when it counts?
Letting in a goal with 5 seconds remaining in the game isn't exactly where Phoenix wants him to be. It's clear that the Blackhawks have a simplified game plan: shoot the puck on net. This has skewed his save percentage favorably considering the quality of chances has been near the same.
Both goaltenders have given up 6 goals each, both goaltenders have a win under their belt, and both have been big factors in their teams success thus far. The question is, who has the edge so far in the series? I say it will take game three to find out.
EDGE: NONE
DEFENSEMAN
It's hard to argue with a defensive core that has contributed 6 points in 2 games. Brent Seabrook, Johnny Oduya, Duncan Keith, and Nick Leddy have pulled the anchor on the back-end when it comes down to providing offense for the team.
Seabrook alone has stuffed the stat sheet with hits, blocked shots, goals, assists, you name it. The only thing he hasn't done is win a face-off, mind you, he is a defenseman. Add a role of support in the form of Niklas Hjalmarsson, Sean O'Donnell, and Sami Lepisto (I hope we can insert Dylan Olsen among the names at some point soon), there should be no question that the Blackhawks topple over the Coyotes when it comes to access to quality defenseman.
In all areas of the game, the Blackhawks defensive core has simply out-produced the Coyotes crop of defenseman. Translating all the way to the other end of the rink, where Chicago has peppered Phoenix with almost 50 shots on net per game.
EDGE: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
FORWARDS
As stated before, the Blackhawks have peppered Smith with nearly 50 shots per game. A majority of these shots haven't necessarily been quality chances, but it does show that the puck is getting there. Both teams have scored the same amount of goals as their counterparts but if you want to look at puck possession, the Blackhawks have that.
Phoenix has been able to put on the pressure at times as well, but the majority of the play has been spent with the puck on Chicago's sticks. The only thing they have whiffed on is execution. Let's face it, if the Hawks were on, this series could have been a blow out. But with Marian Hossa struggling, Patrick Sharp beginning to find his game again, Viktor Stalberg getting the chances, it's only a matter of time before the puck goes in for these guys.
The opportunities are there, they just need to finish them. Funny, the hero last game was Bryan Bickell and Brandon Bollig. If that doesn't wake them up, nothing will. Never-the-less, even with missed chances (literal whiffs), the Blackhawks offensive units are still a huge step above the Coyotes.
EDGE: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
GAME THREE PREDICTION
My head says: 4-2 Hawks
My heart says: 5-1 Hawks
Via ASN
Click here to view the article
