2013 NHL Western Conference Finals Picks: Los Angeles Kings vs Chicago Blackhawks Odds and Predictions

2013 NHL Western Conference Finals Picks: Los Angeles Kings vs Chicago Blackhawks Odds and Predictions: Two of the last three Stanley Cup champions will meet in 2013 Western Conference Finals when the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Kings battle the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks. Both teams are coming of Game 7 victories in the semifinals, and while the Kings are trying to follow their improbable championship run from a year ago with back-to-back titles, the Blackhawks are looking to add a Stanley Cup Trophy to the President’s Trophy they won during a dominant regular season. Not to mention the fact that if either franchise goes on to won the Stanley Cup this year, the word dynasty is going to start to be mentioned. It is tough to pick two more worthy teams to square off in the conference finals.

For Los Angeles, their attempt at a repeat title is once again being fueled by the play of goalie Jonathan Quick. After earning himself the Conn Smythe Trophy for his play in the 2012 playoffs, Quick has recovered from a mediocre regular season to dominant in the postseason. Entering the conference finals, he leads all goalies with a 1.50 goals against average, a .948 save percentage and three shutouts. While Quick has experienced a renaissance, the Kings’ offense has gone in the opposite direction. After ranking in the top 10 in scoring in the regular season, Los Angeles is averaging just 1.94 goals per game, which is the lowest average of any team that wasn’t bounced in the first round. Mike Richards is the only player to reach double figures in points thus far, and Jeff Carter leads the team with just five goals. That being said, the formula worked last year and has worked thus far in 2013, and it is tough to deny the Kings’ ability to win close games on big stages.

After trailing 3-1 in their semifinal matchup with Detroit, the Blackhawks showed some resilience and rallied back, ultimately winning the series in overtime of Game 7. For a team that basically dominated the NHL during the regular season with excellent balance on both ends of the ice, Chicago’s offense has lost a bit of its bite in the postseason. Patrick Sharp, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa have all played well but not great, and Jonathan Toews has been a major disappointment. On the flip side, the Blackhawks’ defense has remained outstanding. Goalie Corey Crawford ranks second among playoff goalies with a 1.70 goals against average and third with a .938 save percentage. The bottom line is that even without its offense firing on all cylinders thus far, Chicago has still shown it can win games.

The Kings Win If:

While there is always a chance the Kings’ offense could erupt, Los Angeles has pretty much pinned its title hopes on a physical style of play in support of Quick’s brilliance in net. If they are going to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, Quick has to be the best player on the ice at least four times throughout the series. Meanwhile, the Kings have to help out Quick by slowing the pace of the game, limiting turnovers and neutralizing the Blackhawks’ speedy attackers. Yes, Quick will need to make some incredible saves, but limiting the number of quality looks that Chicago gets on offense will certainly help the cause, as well. Of course, great defense and goaltending means little without some offense, and if the Kings are going to win the series, they will need a few of their top players to produce. If Justin Williams and Dustin Brown can join the party and help out Carter and Richards on the offensive end, Quick should be able to take care of the rest.

The Blackhawks Win If:

If the Blackhawks are going to knock off the defending champs, they have to keep the pressure on Quick and put the onus on the Kings’ offense. Chicago has a big edge in speed and offensive firepower, and they have to create an up-tempo pace and force the bigger, physical Kings players to adjust their strategy and try to keep up. Yes, Crawford has to continue to make the saves he is supposed to make, and the Blackhawks can’t let up on defense, but Chicago’s offense is going to decide whether or not they win this series. If the Blackhawks try to oust the Kings in a series of close, low-scoring games, Quick and company are going to be hard to beat. If Chicago gets its offense cranked up as it did against Los Angeles during the regular season, the Blackhawks’ offensive arsenal should allow them to overpower the defending champs.

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Bottom Line:

In some ways, it is hard to bet against either side. After all, the Kings look a lot like the team that won the Stanley Cup last season. However, the Blackhawks have now shown some serious mental resolve to go along with a talented roster that dominated the NHL throughout the regular season. In the end, the fact that the Chicago has home-ice advantage in the series could be the tipping point. As unstoppable as Los Angeles has been at home, the Kings are just 1-5 on the road during the postseason. Throw in suddenly-nonexistent offense, and there is only going to be so much Quick can do against the most-complete and well-balanced team in the NHL. It will be a hard-fought series, but the Blackhawks’ edge on offense along with the Kings’ inability to win games on the road will allow Chicago to emerge from the series.

Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks Win in 7 Games

Los Angeles Kings vs Chicago Blackhawks Series Odds
Los Angeles Kings +140
Chicago Blackhawks -160

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