For the second consecutive year, the Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks will meet in the NHL Playoffs and if the offshore wagering odds are any indication, it should be a close series. Online wagering companies list the Blackhawks as the -145 favorite to win the series against Vancouver.
Offshore wagering odds are very close on this series between two division winners. Last season the Blackhawks defeated the Canucks in six games. Neither team was that impressive in the first round but they both recovered from 2-1 deficits to win three straight games and advance. The Blackhawks got past Nashville while the Canucks beat the Kings.
The spotlight in this series will fall on Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo. He was terrible in Game 6 last year against Chicago and early in the series against the Kings he played poorly. He turned things around though in the last few games against Los Angeles. He is the player that could decide this series. If he plays well the Canucks have a chance. If he struggles at all, the Canucks are going to lose vs. the odds at the online wagering companies. The Blackhawks got solid goaltending from Antti Niemi in the first round and he looks like he can hold his own in this series against the Canucks. If the goaltending battle is even then Vancouver is in trouble in this series.
The Canucks have the Sedin twins but they don’t always show up. They will need to lead the way on offense if the Canucks are to keep up with Chicago. Vancouver got excellent play out of Mikael Samuelsson in the series against Los Angeles. He could be a key player again against Chicago. The Blackhawks were led by Marian Hossa who had seven points in six games and Jonathan Toews who had eight points in the six games against Nashville.
Special teams nearly killed Vancouver against the Kings. They can’t continue to give up power play goals and win against the Blackhawks. Chicago was excellent on penalty killing and if they shut down the Vancouver power play they are likely to win this series vs. the offshore wagering odds.
The defensive edge is with Chicago in this series and defense normally wins playoff games. The Blackhawks have Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook and they will be expected to contain the Sedins in this series.