Untitled Document

L.A. Kings Vs. Chicago Blackhawks

L.A. Kings		Chicago Blackhawks
3rd Overall American Conference	106 Points	6th Overall American Conference	98 Points
Winning record of 4-0-0 vs Blackhawks during season		Losing record of 0-2-2 vs Kings during season

Top Point Getters in Regualar Season	Top Point Getters in Regular Season
Vincent Lecavalier - 33 G - 45 A - 78 - +1	Lee Stempniak - 42 G - 45 A - 87 - +20
Tomas Plekanec - 36 G - 40 A - 76 P - +17	Nik Antropov - 24 G - 50 A - 74 P - +16
Brian Campbell - 19 G - 50 A - 69 P - +18	Phil Kessel - 34 G - 37 A - 71 P - +7

Series Preview

There is not a more consistent franchise in 2M4B than the Los Angeles Kings. Every single season, the Kings hover around 100 points, are in the running for the division title and you can usually expect them to make some noise in the post-season. They score plenty of goals, they are strong defensively, they are physical and their special teams are excellent. The club is built around vets and that is likely why they are consistent. The center line is deep with Lecavalier, Plekanec and Jordan Staal being a fearsome trio. The wings are built around solid, consistent performers like Knuble and Sharp, as well as inconsistent talents like Kovalev, Kostitsyn and Frolov. The defence is another strength, all-around stud Shea Weber, Brent Burns and Brian Campbell are an excellent top 3. Matt Greene, Mark Stuart and Steve Montador form a physical bottom 3. In goal, Niklas Backstrom remains a stingy netminder.

3 KEY FACTORS:

Can the 3 enigmas on the wings provide enough offence in the post-season?
Getting matchups. The Kings brass is all about them and if they get the ones they want, they usually prevail.
Experience and physicality. The Kings seem to have a huge advantage on both fronts and they must show it.

No one is ever quite sure what to expect out of the Blackhawks, their management being on top of the list. When the team is expect to be good, they tend to disappoint. When the team is expected to rebuild, they make the playoffs. That was the case this season when a young roster found its stride and easily made the post-season. Management decided to make a run at it by adding vets such as Langkow, Foote and Weight as a result. The Blackhawks can ice 3 lines of offence, mainly thanks to surprising seasons by Stempniak and Antropov, as well as a solid effort by Phil Kessel. The club counts on 2 talented young goalies in Quick and Rask, a duo plenty of teams would love. The defence does not have a star player on it, although Erik Karlsson is on the cup, but veterans Jackman and Foote provide strong defensive play, Braydon Coburn is a great 2-way d-man and Trevor Daley had an unreal 62 point season.

3 KEY FACTORS:

Simply put, the Kings have no weaknesses. Which means Jonathan Quick will have to steal games in this series.
Winning the special teams battle. The Kings had an excellent PP and PK units, however the Blackhawks were just behind them. So it could happen.
David Krejci. Going up against an excellent group of centers, the Blackhawks will need Krejci to have a fantastic series.

Prediction: When a team is as good at everything as the Kings are, it is extremely hard to imagine they will lose in round 1. The Blackhawks will be hard to beat though. Kings in 5.