After handling business in the Western Conference quarterfinals, the Chicago Blackhawks continue their road to the Stanley Cup with a home Game 1 matchup against the visiting Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night at 8 pm ET.
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Via ESPN:
The top of the list includes Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. Patrick Sharp is coming off another great playoff series, and Bryan Bickell and Dave Bolland have come up with big postseason goals in the past.
The Chicago Blackhawks have waves of talented lines, making them a difficult matchup for any team. Months after Nicklas Lidstrom retired, they pose quite the challenge for the Detroit Red Wings.
When one of the NHL's biggest rivalries resumes in the playoffs on Wednesday night, there will be a lot of talk about the play of goalies Corey Crawford of Chicago and Jimmy Howard of Detroit. The Blackhawks are going to have to find a way to shut down the Detroit trio of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen.
But Chicago's deep group of forwards against Detroit's refurbished defense could go a long way to deciding the 16th postseason series between the proud Original Six franchises.
"There's going to be a test there for them," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "We just try to keep making progress. We've had good growth on our team all year long and it has to continue to happen."
Detroit lost decades of experience when Lidstrom announced his retirement a year ago. The seven-time Norris Trophy winner helped the Red Wings to four Stanley Cups and is among the best defensemen to ever play the game.
Lidstrom's absence left a giant hole in front of Howard, but Detroit then decided to trade Brad Stuart to San Jose in June because he made it clear that he wanted to be closer to his family. Down Lidstrom and Stuart, the Red Wings had to rely on a mix of young and unproven defensemen to provide key minutes.
