Pros & Cons: Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Our newest feature, Pros and Cons, holds a debate between two of our featured writers as they make an argument for each team in the series. We will continue this series throughout the playoffs as we delve deeper into how these two teams will fare against each other.
Vancouver Canucks by I-5 Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks will look to redeem themselves as they get a rematch with the Chicago Blackhawks, the team that sent them home early in last years playoffs. But much has changed since last season. For one, the Canucks have a lot more offensive firepower than they did last season. Led by Mikael Samuelsson’s 7 goals in the first round (he had 5 in each of the previous playoff runs with Detroit) and Hart Trophy candidate Henrik Sedin the Canucks haven’t had many nights where they were held off the scoreboard. Add that to the fact they have now won 13 games when behind after 2 periods and no lead is safe against the boys in blue this season.
The penalty kill is still a concern for the Canucks after being brutal in the first round series against the Los Angeles Kings. On the bright side, it greatly improved as the series wore on and was one of the keys to beating the Kings in the series. While the Kings scored at will on the power play, the Canucks were clearly the better team at 5-on-5. They will need more of that against Chicago in this round. The Canucks defensive coverage was also suspect on more than one occasion. Without Willie Mitchell (concussion) the Canucks will have to rely on Andrew Alberts to step up to handle the forwards of the Blackhawks. In last year’s playoffs the Hawks physical play frustrated the Canucks at times, but the two main agitators for Chicago have been riding the pine so far as they try to ice a more skilled team. The Canucks are one of the best teams in the league when they are hitting and if they can play with that intensity and stay out of the penalty box, it’ll go a long way towards winning the series.
Another key for the Canucks is the second line of Ryan Kesler, Mayson Raymond, and Alex Burrows. If they can find their scoring touch again, that’ll give the Canucks 3 lines that can score and will make it tougher for the Blackhawks to matchup defensively. The Canucks will also need to continue to get contributions from the 3rd line, as they did against Los Angeles, to be successful. That line, led by Kyle Wellwood and Steve Bernier had some great shifts for the Canucks in the last series and really helped key the comeback in the series.
And last but not least is Roberto Luongo. Roberto may be the one player on the Canucks roster most anticipating a rematch. The Blackhawks were very physical with him and managed to get into his head on their way to a victory in last year’s series. While it’s widely acknowledged that he hasn’t stolen a game for the Canucks this season, he was more like himself in games 5 and 6 of the L.A. series – robbing Ryan Smyth on a sure goal in the late stages. If ever there was a time for Bobby Lu to wake up out of his funk, this is it.
It should be another fan-tastic series!
Chicago Blackhawks by Ryan Hackett
The Chicago Blackhawks definitely have the advantage at the blue line. While Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith have combined for an even plus/minus this year against the Canucks, if they play the way they are capable, Vancouver’s top lines could have a difficult time finding the score sheet. Playoff hockey brings an increased emphasis on special teams, and the Canucks converted at a 15% clip against the Hawks this season. Chicago’s penalty kill is rolling right now holding Nashville to 1 goal in 27 chances, but this will be a much more physical series, and the team who stays away from dumb retaliation penalties will have a decided advantage. The Hawks should also look to feast on Vancouver’s penalty kill which has been schizophrenic of late.
Troy Brouwer leads the Blackhawks with two goals against Vancouver this season, and facing the weaker 2nd and 3rd defensive pairings of Vancouver could have him licking his chops. Dustin Byfuglien got inside Roberto Luongo’s head last year and took him completely off his game. After spending the first round manning the point for the Hawks, Byfuglien has been moved back to the wing and Luongo’s already been cautioned against embellishing goaltender interference to elicit penalty calls. The Patrick Show (starring Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp) netted five goals on Luongo last post-season, and those three stirring up that insecurity again it could make things miserable for the Canucks’ netminder.
Even though Roberto Luongo can get rattled, the Canucks’ potent offense features six 25 goal scorers and can pick up the slack at times down the stretch. The Blackhawks cannot take any shifts off if they have a late lead. Antti Niemi has looked sharp in recording a pair of no-no’s en route to winning his first playoff series, but has yet to feel the heat of the playoffs. He shook off the flukey goal in game one and he’ll have to continue to demonstrate that kind of maturity to take the Blackhawks deep.
