http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/30/western-conference-finals-preview/?ref=hockey
The N.H.L. Western Conference finals feature the 2012 champion Los Angeles Kings and the Chicago Blackhawks, who won the 2013 Presidents’ Trophy. This matchup features the last two teams from the West to win the Stanley Cup, though each team had its mettle tested by semifinal showdowns that reached seven games.
They have met just once, in a 1974 series in which the Blackhawks eliminated the Kings in five games. This year Chicago won the season series, 2-1, including a 5-2 drubbing in Los Angeles that curbed the Kings’ Stanley Cup enthusiasm in their season opener. The Kings won the only late-season meeting, a 5-4 win at Chicago.
Chicago was the rabbit in this season’s N.H.L. relay, darting out to a huge cushion on the rest of the conference. They set an N.H.L. record by going 24 games with at least one point earned to start the season. More recently, the Blackhawks have sputtered. Chicago was less than dominant against a Minnesota Wild team that backed into the playoffs and then suffered injuries. That stale play carried over into their semifinal series against the Detroit Red Wings, who suffocated Chicago’s offensive stars and power play on the way to a 3-1 series lead.
The Blackhawks turned around the series, game by game, thanks in large part to consistent, formidable goaltending from Corey Crawford and an about-face from their frustrated core, led by the captain Jonathan Toews. With a bit of adversity at its back, Chicago will seek to recapture the form that helped it breeze through the regular season.
Los Angeles has also shown a capacity to blow past quality opposition with little resistance. It was 16-4 in the postseason last year, including a record 10 straight road wins. Yet this season the Kings have leaned heavily on home ice advantage, posting a 7-0 record in the playoffs and winning their last 14 over all at Staples Center. Their two series have been anything but leisurely strolls, as 11 of 13 contests have been decided by a solitary goal and they have won just one away game.
Whether they were hoisting the Stanley Cup, scraping their way into the playoffs or, in last year’s case, both, Jonathan Quick has been the Kings’ central nervous system. He quietly emerged as an elite goalie in 2011, won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2012 and this year his playoff performance has been equally dominant and even more critical to the Kings’ success. He has matched his shutout total from the playoffs last season (3) and his save percentage has found a sliver of room to improve from .946 to .948.
With Chicago regaining its offensive potency and the Kings returning to their domineering defensive ways, the series should offer loads of contrast. The Hawks possess depth and balance reminiscent of their 2010 team with all the same marquee skaters. Still, the last four Presidents’ Trophy winners and eight of the last nine have failed to capture the Stanley Cup. Meanwhile, the Kings’ roster has been constructed with a mind toward winning in the playoffs. Coach Darryl Sutter has made highly effective in-series adjustments, like dressing seven defensemen against St. Louis and shuffling his lineup midstream against San Jose. As Sutter is fond of saying, “Playoffs are all that matters.€
PICK: Kings
