NHL Western Conference Preview

With no disrespect to Detroit, this is the matchup most hockey fans wanted to see and large factions believe the winner will go on to win the Stanley Cup the way the Eastern Conference has played out. Chicago’s loss to Detroit on the last day of the regular season gave San Jose the top seed by a single point and home ice advantage in this series.

These teams have many similarities, including sportsbooks having both of them as +160 wagers favorites to bring the Cup home to their city when the postseason concludes.

Chicago has 60 wins this season and San Jose has 59. Both have 32 wins this year on home ice and each has played well on the road with the Blackhawks having one more triumph than the Sharks at 28.

Both bring ample offensive firepower that will test the others defense and goaltending. San Jose’s “Big Three” of Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau awoke after disappointing series against Colorado and overwhelmed the Red Wings with eight goals and 12 assists. This was especially important for Thornton (eight points) whose playoff appearances mostly have had a David Copperfield feel of disappearing.

The most consistent scorer for the Sharks has been Joe Pavelski, who followed up five goals against the Avalanche with four more against Detroit. Pavelski has carried the power play with five in the net and have three game winners. San Jose is 35-15 against teams that have winning records.

Chicago has a myriad of scorers as evidenced by 11 players having 10 or more goals during the regular season. In fact, nine different forwards tallied a goal in Vancouver series. Prominent names like Jonathan Toews (4 goals), Patrick Kane (3) and Kris Versteeg (3) all help carry the scoring load and massive Dustin Byfuglien (4) was like a tank in front of Canucks goal in last series, proving the Blackhawks are at their best when being able to keep the opposing goalie and defense busy in front of their own net.

The Hawks defensemen are more offensive-oriented, swiftly taking the puck into the other end to exploit weaknesses, however are vulnerable occasionally being caught up ice. San Jose has a better blend of two-way defenders and guys that shutdown opposing teams at the blue line.

Both netminders have been solid between the pipes. The Sharks Evgeni Nabokov has been sharper in net this playoff campaign and is among the reason why his team returns to West Finals for the first time since 2004. “We're going to go as far as Nabby takes us. He's been the backbone of this team all year long," Thornton said after the clincher against Detroit.

Chicago’s defensive lapses are why goaltender Antti Niemi has allowed four or more goals six times in the playoffs. When given normal protection by his defenders, he’s risen to the moment. Chicago is 23-9 against good passing teams averaging five or more assists per game this season.

The Blackhawks have been stronger in special teams play converting 25 percent against Vancouver and they have kept opponents out of the net 88.7 percent of the time and cashed in with three shorthanded goals as well.

San Jose has been average in both situations by comparison (19.3 percent with man advantage and 84.2 percent in penalty kills). If the Sharks expect to win this series, they have to be better on the road, where they are below average in each instance.

The Blackhawks won three of four meetings this season.

“Simply put, we didn’t play very well against Chicago and we’ll have to play a lot better to win,” San Jose coach Todd McLellan said. “We need quicker starts against Chicago. We always seem to be behind the eight ball. For us to get into a track meet with this team won’t be very productive for us throughout the series.”

San Jose can advance to Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history if they stay disciplined and maintain edge in special opportunities (+19 in power play chances) and find ways to break thru against Blackhawks’ penalty killers. They cannot lose a home game as Chicago has worn down opponents as the series went further along.

Chicago is the deeper team, with more varied scoring options. The Hawks can’t take as many silly penalties, especially with how deadly Joe Pavelski has been. The Blackhawks outshot the Sharks 157-98 this season, which shows what kind of pressure they can maintain. If they can continue this, they play for the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1992.

3Daily Winners Pick - Chicago (-105) in six over San Jose (-115)