The Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings hate each other. One of the best rivalries in the NHL will get renewed as the two teams are set to meet in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The storied hatred dates back to beginning of the League and will see life once again in the Western Conference semifinals.
The last time Chicago and Detroit faced each other in the postseason was 2009 in the Western Conference finals. The Red Wings came out the winner after five games. Filled with a roster of defending Stanley Cup Champions, Detroit made quick work of Chicago, underdogs at the time. Chicago would rebound quickly and win the Stanley Cup the following season.
This time around, Chicago enters the series as the assumed winners and favorite to win the championship. They proved to be a roster deep with talent during their first round series with the Minnesota wild. Both Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane went scoreless and the team still won in five games. Despite the team's two leading scorers going goal-less, Patrick Sharp had five goals in the five game series, while Marian Hossa had three.
The Blackhawks goaltending has been another proven strength in the postseason. Both Corey Crawford and Ray Emery looked strong in the regular season, but after an injury, Crawford stepped up as the No. 1 guy. He only allowed seven goals in five games. Even if Emery comes back healthy, Crawford will likely remain the starter.
On the other hand, the Detroit Red Wings are the underdog after barely scooting into the postseason. The roster has worked to mature in the first round of the playoffs, beating the Anaheim Ducks. Goalie Jimmy Howard helped carry the team, proving to be one of the better goaltenders in the NHL. However, if Howard were to get injured during the second round, the Red Wings have no one to back him up. The last time Jonas Gustavsson played in the postseason was 2009. He would not be able to carry the team to a win.
If the Red Wings' defense can eliminate mistakes and keep the pressure of Howard, Detroit stands a chance at winning the series. If the Blackhawks remain healthy and entirely at full strength, they will likely be unstoppable. This is the 16th time the two teams have met in the postseason and could likely be the last time. With realignment, Detroit will be in the Easter Conference next year, eliminating the chance of the rivalry being renewed each year.
