The suspense ended as the Chicago Blackhawks took the Nashville Predators 5-3 in Monday night’s game, securing a match-up with the Canucks for round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
It’s a bit of deja vu for these teams who met last season in the Western Conference semifinal. It would be an understatement to say that the Canucks are looking for a different outcome this time around, as Blackhawks clinched the series after six games last year.
The dates are still being confirmed by the league, but it looks like Game 1 of Round 2 will take place Saturday, May 1, in Chicago. The home-ice advantage goes to the Blackhawks.
These are a tough couple of teams. Chicago may be a bit younger and faster, but these teams are closely matched offensively. Currently they are separated by only a handful of goals for the season.
Defense will decide this game, and the Blackhawks’ defense is among the strongest in the league. Together, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, local Vancouverite from Tsawwassen, are a force to be reckoned with. That being said, the Canucks will undoubtedly get by them.
At the end of the day, Vancouver’s Luongo is a better goalie than Chicago’s Niemi. If the game comes down to who wants it most, then Vancouver’s a shoo-in. With a regular season save percentage of .913, Luongo is on a mission for a title.
Luo can definitely be the key to Canucks’ success. Let’s just hope he doesn’t choke when things get hairy.
There is no doubt that this will be one game you will not want to miss. Be there as the Stanley Cup playoffs unfold. For Canucks tickets, visit ShowTimeTickets.com, where we are never sold out!