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   VS. 

ROUND 2
3. VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS. 4. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

JOSH BREWSTER

Much is made of the March 29th game in Chicago, in which the Blackhawks’ Dustin Byfuglien gave Canuck goaltender Roberto Luongo a shot to the mask that ignited a brawl. Duncan Keith thought it comical that a grown man, Alexander Burrows, had pulled his hair right there on the ice, during the melee. These clubs feature some ornery lads, and this series has the potential to be a lengthy one.

The last time Sami Pahlsson was assigned the task of shutting down the Sedin twins, with the Ducks in an ’07 five-game victory, Henrik didn’t have point. It’s going to be up to Pahlsson and Andrew Ladd to provide the shutdown jam, with help from Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook on defense. The Canucks will rely on the likes of Steve Bernier, also Kyle Wellwood and Selke nominee Ryan Kesler, to give Patrick Kane and Jon Toews fits.

“They won’t be getting to Louie as easily as they got to Mikka Kiprusoff,” says Vancouver defenseman Shane O’Brien.

It certainly has the looks of an old-time hockey series. Willie Mitchell, Kevin Bieksa, Sami Salo and Matty Ohlund will provide more of a challenge to the Hawks than did the battered Calgary defense. Conversely, the Blues’ defense pales in comparison with the Blackhawks,’ and Vancouver will have a hard time with Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Cam Barker and Brian Campbell, especially offensively.

Neither crop of forwards on either club stands out in terms of playoff prowess. In the net, however, this one promises to feature many huge saves in a super-duel between 2004 Cup champ (TBL) Nik Khabibulin of Chicago and Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo.

Chicago's dream season continues.

PICK: CHICAGO in 6

DENNIS BERNSTEIN

For those who didn’t see Chicago’s Game 5 and 6 performances against Calgary, they missed a young team coming of age. Chicago backliners Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith made the case for being the best young defensive pairing in the league. While Vancouver had a big advantage in net in Round 1 with Roberto Luongo, the Blackhawks? Nikolai Khabibulin is the one with a Stanley Cup ring. Any first time jitters for Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews didn’t surface and with zero championship experience on the Vancouver roster, the Madness on Madison will continue into the Conference Finals.

PICK: CHICAGO in 6

LEON RAFNER

Give these old guys a break. The Canucks have the experience and Goaltender Roberto Luongo can lead this team far, if the forwards can just do their job. The mysteriously injured Mats Sundin remains questionable, but can the Sedin twins produce enough offense to counter the remarkably resurgent Blackhawks, led by Patrick’s Kane and Sharp? With young Captain Jonathan Toews leading the way, these swift Blackhawks will put plenty of rubber eggs in Luongo’s basket. Vancouver will bolster their defense with the super reliable Sami Salo, and the tenaciously pugnacious Willie Mitchell, but it may not be enough. Chicago’s Nikolai Khabibulin is the big money goaltender. Remember, this is a guy who ditched the NHL for a year to play in the minors, just to get out of his contract. These two great goaltenders are going to put on an exceptional display as they battle to move these well matched teams to the next round.

PICK: VANCOUVER in 6

CHARLES SMITH

Okay, the young Blackhawks did show more grit than I thought they would in the series against Calgary but the Canucks are an entirely different animal. Much like Tim Thomas, this is Roberto Luongo's chance to truly cement his place amongst the elite. Luongo was lights-out against St Louis in the first round. The Blackhawks are going to need their talented youngsters to stay patient and not succumb to frustration against Luongo, and Nikolai Khabibulin will need to be at his best to keep the 'Hawks confident. Look for the strength of Luongo and the patience and experience of the Canucks' veteran roster to be the difference in the series. The 'Hawks have a great future, but for now, Canucks move on.

PICK: VANCOUVER in 5

STATISTICS:

SERIES L       TIME (ET)      #3 Vancouver vs. #4 Chicago      Network

Thursday, April 30, 2009      9 p.m.  Chicago at Vancouver            VERSUS, CBC

Saturday, May 2, 2009        9 p.m.  Chicago at Vancouver            VERSUS, CBC

Tuesday, May 5, 2009         8 p.m.  Vancouver at Chicago            VERSUS, CBC

Thursday, May 7, 2009        8 p.m.  Vancouver at Chicago            VERSUS, CBC

*Saturday, May 9, 2009     10:30 p.m.       Chicago at Vancouver            VERSUS, CBC

*Monday, May 11, 2009     9 p.m.  Vancouver at Chicago            VERSUS (JIP), CBC

*Thursday, May 14, 2009     TBD    Chicago at Vancouver            VERSUS, CBC

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