The argument that Chicago was better in the regular season holds no water. Look at the standings (82 games sample). The Ducks are at the top. This is being completely ignored. You argued a weaker division made it happen, so I posted the divisional records. (21 game sample) Ducks came out on top again with a better record against the central than Chicago has against the Pacific. "It was the bottom teams," you said. The Ducks had a better record against the top central teams than Chicago had against the bottom pacific teams (9 game sample). So now you are resorting to the 3 head to head games to make your case. The only game the two played when Anaheim wasn't icing an AHL team was the game the Ducks won. I'd also like to point out that in the playoffs, the Ducks have been better in literally every single statistical category.
Anaheim has three amazing lines going now also. While you are going on about Kesler only playing against one line, you fail to mention the Ducks other line has Getzlaf and Perry. The Ducks actually have a deeper defense than Chicago and Keith, unless hes paired with Seabrook, will have to stay back. The Ducks easily forced Calgary's big 3 to stay back and dump the puck in. Keith is all world, but he isn't as good as 3 players just by himself. And I'm looking forward to 25 minutes per game against Oduya. Have fun watching the same 4 guys all series against Anaheim's forecheck and cycle. You really think they wont be worn down by the end of the series?
I like the Hawks fans talk about playing along the boards but unfortunately I doubt the Hawks are planning for this. This series won't be about hitting, except in the Anaheim offensive zone. Anaheim gives the boards and clogs the middle really well. Their gap control has been unreal. Even Stoner can keep up with Kane and Saad playing a tight gap. The Hawks will be dumping the puck far more than you expect.
Home ice advantage means matchup advantage. This has all the makings of a repeat of last year's conference finals.
- sniper11
Hawks roasted the ducks everywhere but the scoreboard in the one game they won. Plus the RS goal differential of +10 leaves room for plenty of doubters.
Hawks made a bad trade for 44, two bad injuries to TVR and Rozsival, and runbad is what he is, leaving us with really only 4D.
Again today Hawks had the clear edge in play when it counted, and not so much when the Ducks took the lead and got to sit back. Just the facts. Hawks in 6 unless the Ducks continue to exploit the 5-6D pair, which is a distinct possibility.
