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Where the Hawks Stand

Written by: EricC on 12th April 2010

The Chicago Blackhawks may not have been able to Clinch the Western Conference, but their performance in the final set of games really helped ensue more confidence going into the Playoffs. During their race with the San Jose Sharks, the Blackhawks accumulated a six game Winning Streak, putting in 26 goals during those six games. Despite falling just a point short of that first playoff seed, Chicago has some perks to where they ended up.

The Blackhawks’ first opponent in the Playoffs will be the Nashville Predators; a Division Rival who the Hawks went 4-2 against during the Regular Season (a record that can win you a playoff series). If the Hawks knock the Preds out, as is expected, there is a chance they will be taking on Colorado. Even though San Jose clinched the Conference, they did so last season and ended up losing in the first round of the Playoffs, in six games. Chicago has a 3-1 record against the Avalanche.

Another perk to where the Hawks are situated in the brackets is that the odds are low (not impossible) of facing the Detroit Red Wings before the Western Conference Finals, if both teams make it to that point. Despite grabbing a better playoff seed than the Red Wings, and looking like the overall better team, Chicago still seems to have trouble when facing Detroit, as was seen in the Final game of the Regular Season. The two split their record this season, but Chicago snagged two Shut Outs against Detroit.

Despite their ups and downs around the end of the season, the Blackhawks are a pretty solid team, and shouldn’t experience many troubles in the Playoffs. Confidence is high going into these playoffs and the team gets nearly a week to rest up before their first game. Hopefully the Hawks can show the same Playoff vigor they displayed last season, but take it all the way this year.