I found a little time between readjusting my sleep schedule and being reminded how people in Los Angeles don't know how to drive to come back to writing. The Cubs are on pace for 121 losses, Knick fans are having delusions of grandeur after beating the Bulls at MSG on Sunday, but we're about to start one of the toughest playoff gauntlets in all of sports in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
I've watched decent chunks of a few Hawks games this year, usually seeing them get beat either in overtime or shoot outs for some reason this season. But once you start the round of 16, this team will always be a tough out.
In the grand scheme of things, the Hawks should be glad they went to overtime against Detroit on Saturday. They were going on the road regardless of what happened in that last game, and I'd rather see Phoenix than Nashville.
To be fair, the Coyotes do have some talented players in guys like Ray Whitney (77 points) and Shane Doan (50), plus probably the best goaltender in this series in Mike Smith (38 wins, .930 save pct., 2.21 GAA).
Phoenix, however, has been a first round out each of the last couple years, and the 2010 champs are not to be taken lightly. Yes, Phoenix will have home ice, but the Hawks have proves they can win on the road when the situation calls for it. No one is certain yet, but by many accounts Jonathan Toews will be back from his injury, and this team has been better since the Johnny Oduya trade. The Hawks will also have a healthy Dave Bolland for a full series unlike last year.
I'm thinking Hawks in 6 to give Phoenix some credit, but this is the matchup Chicago wanted. This allows Detroit and Nashville to beat up on each other while the chalk plays out so St. Louis can get the Red Wing/Predator winner and the Hawks get the seemingly inevitable matchup with the evil Vancouver Canucks.
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