Going into the last weekend of the regular season, the Vancouver Canucks could end up facing any one of five different teams in the first round of the playoffs. However, the most likely scenario based on the standings and remaining schedule is that the Canucks meet the Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs for the third year in a row.
The Blackhawks knocked off the Canucks in six games during the second round in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010
Some fans of the defending Stanley Cup champions are rubbing their hands in glee at the thought of such a matchup, certain that the Blackhawks can easily dispose of the Canucks as they did in the previous two playoffs.
Those fans are wrong.
The Canucks and Blackhawks of 2010-2011 are both changed drastically from their 2009-2010 incarnations.
The Blackhawks have gotten worse due to their much-documented salary cap woes and are facing a must-win situation in Game 82 to just make the playoffs.
The Canucks, on the other hand, have put together one of the most dominant regular seasons in recent history, clinching the President's trophy weeks before the season ends.
Consider ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Joel Prosser
Vancouver Canucks Playoff Preview: Bring on the Blackhawks!
April 9th, 2011 by Joel Prosser Leave a reply »
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