Previewing Chicago Blackhawks For 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The NHL Playoffs are finally here and the Blackhawks will be looking for their fourth Stanley Cup championship in eight seasons. They also come into these playoffs as one of the strongest in the entire league and with the top seed in the Western Conference. They are of course favored to win the conference and also a heavy favorite to win it this year. Lets look at the roster for the playoffs.
Goalies
Corey Crawford
Scott Darling
Crawford is an elite goalie who is practically unbeatable when he gets red hot. Darling is a very good backup who is capable of starting when needed.
Defensemen
Brian Campbell
Gustav Forsling
Niklas Hjalmarsson
Duncan Keith
Michal Kempny
Johnny Oduya
Michael Rozsival
Brent Seabrook
Trevor van Riemsdyk
This part of the team suddenly has gotten better with depth as they have talent and experience as that is a lethal combination. Campbell is back after he helped the team win in 2010 as he provides a lot of leadership. Forsling is there for depth, but he is also very talented. The same can be said about Kempny, but he has more upside. Hjamarsson is a very good player who gives a solid performance in every game. Keith is arguably the best defenseman in the league as he won the Conn Smyth trophy in the Hawks run in 2015. Oduya is back to help the team once more as he helped the team win in 2013 and 2015. Rozsival is a solid player who does give them some depth if injuries occur. Seabrook is a great defenseman who is usually their most clutch player. van Riemsdyk is another solid performer who likely play on the third line.
Forwards
Artem Anisimov
Andrew Desjardins
Ryan Hartman
John Hayden
Vince Hinostroza
Marian Hossa
Tomas Jurco
Patrick Kane
Tanner Kero
Marcus Kruger
Artemi Panarin
Richard Panik
Dennis Rasmussen
Nick Schmaltz
Jonathan Toews
Jordin Tootoo
This is too dangerous of a group of players to give any leeway. Anisimov had been hurt, but he’s expected to comeback and when he plays, he does some damage. Desjardins is a solid player that can sneak in a goal when no one suspects it. Hartman, Panik, Kero and Schmaltz have all come up huge for the Hawks this season as they really broke through. Hossa has really had a good season, especially on offense, as he will be very helpful on either the second or third line. Kane is one of the best goal scorers in the league and is always an MVP candidate. Kruger will figure to give some solid minutes as he provides some depth. Panarin is an outstanding player who could be a star really soon. Toews is all round the best player on the team as he is the captain of the squad and is easily one of the best in the league. Tootoo provides some experience to come on in likely the fourth line. Hayden, Hinostroza, and Rasmussen are likely to provide depth.
I really like this team as I think they have a really good chance of winning the Western Conference. They will have to take on the Nashville Predators in the first round, a team they are all too familiar with as they have met them twice before in the playoffs as well with being division rivals. It will be tough series, but the Blackhawks should be able to pull through.
