2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs – Western Conference Final Preview

Less in the way of surprises on the western side of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs semi-final round, and for the second year in a row, the Kings and the ‘Hawks will face off for a chance to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final – the winners of the last two Stanley Cup titles.

Despite a bit more fight than I expected from the Minnesota Wild, the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks advanced 4-2, thanks to Patrick Kane’s overtime goal in Game Six, in which he showed us, yet again, what a crazy-good pair of hands he has. In the end, the ‘Hawks had too much talent.

I guess you might say that Los Angeles beating the top-ranked Anaheim Ducks to advance was a bit of a surprise, except that these two teams know each other so well, so there’s nowhere really to hide. It took seven games (the Kings took the decider 6-2) and it was a series that’s done wonders for hockey in Southern California. The Kings produced goals when they really needed to, staving off elimination twice.

Scarily, Jonathan Quick, the Kings’ goalie, seems to be getting better with each game. He was superb when he needed to be for Los Angeles, and looks a lot like the guy who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as Stanley Cup Playoff MVP when the Kings took home Lord Stanley two years ago. There were times throughout the season when questions were asked of Quick, but those days seem a long time ago now. 

Quick is firing on all cylinders at the moment, and right in time for a Chicago team loaded with offensive talent. Last round, Quick saw Anaheim’s legion of scoring threats Getlzaf, Perry and Selanne – and saw them off in seven. It doesn’t get any easier this time around, not with Toews, Kane and Hossa coming in. The Kings definitely cannot win this series with Quick being anything less than A-grade. If he takes a night off, or even a period off, that might be it.

Like Quick, Chicago seem to be hitting their straps at the right time. Not that they were bad really at any time in the regular season. They’re undefeated on home ice in these playoffs, and United Centre – aptly known as the Madhouse on Madison – is as tough a place as there is to go and play in hockey. The Kings are going to barely be able to hear themselves think inside that place. That’s not conducive to playing smart hockey.

There are so many ways that the ‘Hawks can get you. The talent of Toews, Kane and Hossa is well-known – you don’t need me to tell you how good they are, or how good they’re going to be for a long while to come.  One thing is for sure: they’re good now, and have been in the conversation for ‘best team in the NHL’ all season. Other teams in that conversation have fallen by the wayside: Boston, Pittsburgh and Anaheim. 

This is a golden opportunity for Joel Quennville’s men. On paper, they are head and shoulders above the other three remaining teams. So, expectations have skyrocketed and the pressure is on.

Where truly Chicago excels is by way of their supporting cast. In years past, guys like Dave Bolland and Dustin Byfuglien have produced memorable Stanley Cup performances, and a guy like Andrew Shaw is the same sort of role player who can do something incredible when you least expect it. Opposition defences can’t sleep on any of Chicago’s lines. There are game breakers all over – a coach’s worst nightmare.

Defensively, if there’s a better combination than Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook anywhere in the League, I’d like to know who. They’re the West’s version of Subban and Pacioretty for Montreal, only better – and that’s really saying something. They’re brilliant blue-liners well known for jumping into the offensive rush. Watch out for them on the power play; both can launch a puck like it’s no one’s business. These guys will doubtless shadow the Kings’ top line.

The Kings have their own corps of great players, led by Marian Gaborik. The Slovakian sniper was a trade deadline acquisition from Columbus, and it was an inspired move by the Kings’ front office, perhaps the difference between an early-round exit – or no playoff appearance at all – and where the Kings are now, four games away from a return to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Since arriving in Southern California, Gaborik has undergone a renaissance of late, and leads all comers in the playoffs with nine goals. Many of those tallies have come at crucial times in a game. His offensive fireworks have helped the Kings come back from 0-3 down against San Jose, and he scored some important goals in the Anaheim series. 

Fans of Gaborik’s previous teams, the New York Rangers, Minnesota and Columbus remain supremely frustrated. He might be the most in-form player on the ice in this series. Chicago will have to watch him closely. As they will watch Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards closely: game-breakers, all.

Los Angeles also have a freakish ability to avoid being eliminated. They’re 6-0 this playoffs when fighting for their lives, including four on the trot. Yet, the ‘Hawks are a tough bunch, too: they won four straight in the first round against St Louis after the Blues won the first two. If this series comes down to a Game 7 situation, watch out. It might be a multi-overtime affair.

Prediction: Honestly, there’s nothing not to like about Chicago, and I’ve said all along that I think they’ll go all the way, back-to-back as Stanley Cup champions. That means they’ll oust Los Angeles in six, and go on to the Final. They’ve just got too much talent for the Kings to deal with.