NHL Playoff Predictions 2011, The odds are not quite what they were last season for the Blackhawks. Despite being the 2-seed in the Western Conference before the playoffs last year, it seemed they were a majority of people's Stanley Cup pick.
Fast forward the clocks a year and things are quite different. Bodog.net had the champs at 22-1 to win the Stanley Cup at the beginning of the playoffs; which is far off what it was last season. Though they got into the playoffs by the smallest of margins the respect for the Blackhawks is not their for the majority of the hockey public.
The Blackhawks can win the series over Vancouver because they have a core group of players that simply have done it twice before. Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane; among others have 'owned' the Canucks in postseason play.
The questions will surround the other players that will have to step up like Dustin Byfuglien, Kris Versteeg, and Andrew Ladd have done in years past. If players like Bryan Bickell, Viktor Stalberg, and Jake Dowell can make real contributions; the past just might repeat itself.
Corey Crawford also did alot more with less than Antti Niemi did in the regular season last year. Crawford will have alot to deal with in the form of the best offense in the NHL against the Canucks, and it will be interesting to see if he can handle and thrive in that storm.
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