The Western Conference is proving to be the more competitive conference in the NHL this season as several teams look poised for a strong season run. The Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks highlight the strong play. Chicago is in the middle of their circus road trip, going 4-1 as they prepare to finish up the six-game trip. However, it will not be easy as they match off again the Western Conference-leading Anaheim Ducks.
The Blackhawks only loss on the road trip was to the Vancouver Canucks. Outside of that, the team has been thriving this season. The power-play unit currently leads the league with 19 goals. while their goaltending is proving to be an x-factor. The power play unit has scored at least once in six straight games this season and things will only get better as they get back center Andrew Shaw after he missed three games. The Blackhawks are dominating with a 20.6 percent success rate while putting up 90.6 percent penalty kill.
Corey Crawford is excelling after starting the past 12 games for the Blackhawks. He is currently 7-5 while giving up a 2.09 goals-against average this season. Against the Duck, Crawford has seen a solid amount of success. He is 7-4-1 against the Western Conference rivals.
Anaheim is currently sitting tied with Montreal for the lead in the league. They currently sit with 33 points on the season, after getting at least one point in 11 of their last 12 games. The Ducks are the best in the West at the moment and aim to keep it that way with a win over the Blackhawks. Much of those points are due to Corey Perry and Matt Beleskey who are both on hot streaks. Perry notched his 12th goal of the season while Beleskey put in his third goal in the last four games.
Meanwhile, goalie Frederik Andersen is controlling the goal, stopping 58 of 61 shots in the last two games. He did not play in the last matchup against the Blackhawks, but in the past six games, he has three one-goal games and two shootouts for eight points.