NHL Playoffs: Game 1 Preview – Canucks seek revenge against Blackhawks
The stage is set for a rematch of last year’s NHL Western Conference Semi-Finals, as the Vancouver Canucks try to avoid a second straight trouncing from the post-season by the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blackhawks ended the Canucks‘ season early last year, sending them home in last year’s Semi-Finals after six games. The Canucks found themselves seeded third in the West after winning their third Northwest Division championship in four years with a record of 48-29-5. After a 17 year drought, the Blackhawks won the Central Division title with a record of 52-22-8.
However, Vancouver does have a chance in this series as per most of the NHL hockey previews. Right Winger Mikael Samuelsson is leading the league with 7 post-season goals and is second in the league with 11 points overall. Overall, Vancouver should have the advantage offensively, with players like Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who have 5 goals and 13 assists between them this post-season.
The Blackhawks, however, have the edge between the pipes, as Goalie Antti Niemi has been on fire so far in these playoffs, with a 2.15 Goals Against Average in six games. Chicago’s penalty killing unit has been fantastic as well, allowing only one goal in 26 attempts. Despite Vancouver’s improvements from last year, and because of the great work of Antti Niemi and the special teams, the Blackhawks should win the series in 5 or 6 games.
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