Canucks and Blackhawks Meet Again..

The Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks start their playoff series tonight in Vancouver, and I am extremely excited. I'm excited as a Canucks fan and as a hockey fan in general. Over the past few years these teams have been huge rivals in the playoffs, and every year the Blackhawks have been the victor. I believe that this year will be different. This year the Canucks are the top team in the league, their goalies are at the top of their game, both of the Sedin twins are healthy and scoring points like crazy, and the team as a whole just CLICKS.

As for the Blackhawks, the only reason they're even in the playoffs this year is because the Dallas Stars didn't put enough effort into their 5-3 loss to the Wild on Sunday. The Blackhawks are in NO position to defend their championship because they're not the same team. They got rid of almost half of the guys who played a significant role in their Stanley Cup win, including their champion goalie - Antti Niemi. Not to say that Crawford hasn't been a great rookie goalie this year.. but they're nothing like they were and quite frankly, it would be a miracle if they made it past the first round.

 It will definitely be an interesting series though. I believe the Canucks would be able to sweep it based on talent alone, but because of the history between the two teams, it might be more difficult. Chicago seems to think they're in Vancouver's heads and that this alone can win them the series. I'm not saying the fact that Chicago has beaten them in the past is enough for Vancouver to blow the series, but I'm sure it may cause them to lose a game or two, especially on enemy ice. My prediction for tonight's game is a Vancouver win, and for the series, Canucks in 6.