Wild: 46-28-8, 100 points, finished first in wild-card race, fourth in the Central Division, and sixth in the western conference
Blackhawks: 48-28-6, 102 points (third in the Central Division and fourth in the western conference)
Regular-season series: Blackhawks won 3-2-0 (Wild 2-3-0)
All times Mountain
Friday, May 1 at Chicago---1930h NBCSN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports
Sunday, May 3 at Chicago---1830h NBCSN, CBC, SN360, TVA Sports
Tuesday, May 5 at Minnesota---1800h CBC, NBCSN, and TVA Sports
Thursday, May 7 at Minnesota---1930h Sportsnet, NBCSN, and TVA Sports
*Saturday, May 9 at Chicago TBA
*Monday, May 11 at Minnesota TBA
*Wednesday, May 13 at Chicago TBA
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This will be the third consecutive time these two teams have met in the playoffs. The first time they played was in the conference quarter-finals (first round) of the 2013 playoffs, Chicago won the series 4-1. Last year, they played in the conference semi-finals (second round) and the Blackhawks won the series 4-2. This is definitely a rematch with similar rosters from last year.
2014 Series clinching overtime goal by Patrick Kane.
2013 series clinching game five highlights.
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must show all Flames games nationally when they play on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays !!!
Hawks in 7, their experience will get them through. They just find a way to win games. Plus, I would love to a see a Toews-Monahan/Kane-Gaudreau/Keith-Brodie matchup.
Chicago in 5. Patrick Kane is going to make Dubnyk human again. I know CHI"s goaltending is suspect right now but their D corps are just getting going and Kane is probably the freshest player in the playoffs aside from Bennett.
No way Kane doesn't destroy Minnesota. At least that is my take on this series.
That and I cannot be the only one who knows the Wild have handled the Flames just like STL has all year. In no way do I want to see the Wild in the WCF should the Flames make it. I'd rather meet CHI.
Wild still being underestimated. Chicago has the starpower, but Wild has better goaltending and better depth. Youngsters are all playing over their heads: Brodin, Dumba, Zucker, Nino, Coyle.
Location: Chicago Native relocated to the stinking desert of Utah
Exp:
I have a hard time believing that, in Dubnyk, the Wild have a "better" goaltender...he has been hot, sure, but, "better"? I am not convinced. Yeo looked one game away from firing at mid season, and the Wild's turnaround has been nothing short of amazing.
I don't like making predictions...for my guys, Richards and Vermette actually seem to be gaining chemistry, finally, and if that trend continues, the Wild won't be able to match the scoring depth of the Blackhawks. Q will roll 4 lines and try to hide Rozival and Timmonen...Looks like Crawford will get the nod in this series, and the team has proven that it can pick up BOTH goaltenders when needed, I am not as concerned about goaltending, for my guys...when the team D clamped down on the Preds, they had very few SOG, and were limited to perimeter shots. That is where playoff hockey games are won, and where the 'Hawks have been proven.
I was not expecting a series for my guys that had home ice advantage...but that will also help Q in the matchup games that he plays.
__________________ "If the wine's not good enough for the cook, the wine's not good enough for the dish!" - Julia Child (goddess of the kitchen)
Three straight seasons that these two meet in the playoffs. I will say Chicago in 7.
The pattern continues then with the Bhawks winning but having to play one more game each year. Too bad they aren't playing in round 3 to keep that pattern going of playing each other in different rounds (blame Bettman). The Bhawks have also had home ice advantage each time.
Wild in 7 but pulling for Chicago because I think the Flames have a better chance against the Hawks if we can squeak by the Ducks
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caged Great
If the Flames some how find a way to beat Anaheim, then go Hawks. If the Ducks beat us, go Wild.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GGG
Wild is the worse matchup for us. Go Hawks
Quote:
Originally Posted by dammage79
No way Kane doesn't destroy Minnesota. At least that is my take on this series.
That and I cannot be the only one who knows the Wild have handled the Flames just like STL has all year. In no way do I want to see the Wild in the WCF should the Flames make it. I'd rather meet CHI.
Careful what you wish for in respect to preferring the Wild. Many Senators fans didn't want the Rangers or Lightning going up against the Sens. They thought the Habs were vulnerable. Betcha they now wish they got the Bolts instead. I agree that Kane is a one man wrecking crew against the Wild just like Keith is to the Predators.
Western Conference Playoffs - Round 2: Blackhawks vs Wild (Hawks win 4-0)
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must show all Flames games nationally when they play on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays !!!
