Western Conference Playoff Preview -- (4) Hawks - (5) Ducks - Tazer19's Dynasty

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Western Conference Playoff Preview -- (4) Hawks - (5) Ducks

Posted on November 18, 2011 at 06:47 PM.

(0)

(4)

Chicago Blackhawks - (54 - 24 - 4 -- 112)

(5)
Anaheim Ducks - (47 - 30 - 5 -- 99)

What you Need to Know
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(NHL RANK)

Goals For Per Game - 2.67 (#19)
Goals Against Per Game - 2.29 (#2)
Power Play % - 23.2% (#2)
Penalty Killing % - 80.3% (#18)

Home Record - (32 - 7 - 2)
Road Record - (22 - 17 - 2)

Leading Scorer - Patrick Kane (29 goals / 33 assists - 62 pts)
Who's in Net? - Corey Crawford (47 wins / Save % .925 / GAA - 2.19)

(NHL RANK)

Goals For Per Game - 3.15 (#4)
Goals Against Per Game - 2.88 (#19)
Power Play % - 20.7% (#8)
Penalty Killing % - 79.9% (#22)

Home Record - (28 - 10 - 3)
Road Record - (19 - 20 - 2)

Leading Scorer - Ryan Getzlaf (27 goals / 72 assists - 99 pts)
Who's in Net? - Jonas Hiller (36 wins / Save % .903 / GAA - 2.68)

Analysis and Prediction
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Oh boy, this one worries me. The Hawks have offensive talent, but for whatever reason they finished in the bottom half of the league in scoring. The Ducks are just the opposite, they put the puck in the net, early, and ofter all season long. Where the Hawks do excel is the defensive side of the game, they are one of the best defensive teams in the NHL, and they will have to utilize matchups to get their best defensive forwards out against the top line of Anaheim, which might be the best line in hockey. I think a big advantage will be the Hawks power play as it is one of the best in the league, and the Ducks PK is not good, at all. The Hawks have improved greatly over the last half of the season in the PK department.
Prediction - Hawks 6