2014 NHL Los Angeles Kings vs Chicago Blackhawks Odds and Predictions: Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Finals Picks:

2014 NHL Los Angeles Kings vs Chicago Blackhawks Odds and Predictions: Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Finals Picks: : It will be a matchup with dynasty implications when the Los Angeles Kings meet the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals. After all, these teams have combined to win two of the last three Stanley Cup titles, and they will be facing off in the conference finals for the second year in a row. Heck, the Kings are making their third-consecutive appearance in the conference finals. Of course, this meeting is a bit of surprise given that the Blackhawks were the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference while the Kings were the No. 6 seed. Last year, Chicago beat Los Angeles in five games en route to hoisting the Stanley Cup, but three of the Blackhawks’ wins came by a single goal. The rematch begins Sunday in Chicago.

After owning the stingiest defense in the NHL during the regular season, it is a little surprising that the Kings’ run to the conference finals has been fueled at least in part of their offense. Los Angeles is averaging more than three goals per game in the playoffs, and while Anze Kopitar leads all players with 19 points, Marian Gaborik leads all players with nine goals. Justin Williams has also been solid, logging five goals. In net, the normally reliable Jonathan Quick has been inconsistent, posting a 2.72 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. However, he has found a way to be at his best when the Kings have needed him, allowing just two goals in the final three games against San Jose and just three goals in the final two games against Anaheim.

Chicago ranked second in the NHL in scoring during the regular season, and the Blackhawks’ offense has remained potent during the postseason. Chicago is averaging just under three goals per game with Marian Hossa, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane headlining a balanced attack. Meanwhile, goalie Corey Crawford seems to have saved his best work for the playoffs. He is currently allowing just 1.97 goals per game to go along with a .931 save percentage. In addition, Crawford has allowed two goals or less in six of Chicago’s last eight games.

The Kings Win If:

If the Kings are going to win the series, they need the dominant Quick to show up in net at least four times. Despite his up-and-down play, Quick has still been able to put the Kings on his back when he has been at his best, and it is going to take a vintage performance from Quick to contain Chicago’s high-powered offense. Offensively, Los Angeles needs Kopitar and Gaborik to continue to play like stars. The reason that the Kings’ offense has gone to another level in the postseason is because Kopitar has gone from a steady scorer to an elite one while Gaborik is fully healthy and looking like a premier goal-scorer once again. If the Kings can manage to retain an explosive element to their offseason while getting a strong series from Quick between the pipes, they can advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Blackhawks Win If:

For the Blackhawks to keep hopes of back-to-back Stanley Cup titles alive, they have to get their powerful offense rolling early in order to keep Quick from getting into a rhythm and to put added pressure on a Los Angeles offense that has been playing above its head throughout the postseason. If Chicago makes sure the Kings have to score 3 or 4 goals per game to win rather than just 1 or 2, the Blackhawks should be in great shape. In net, Crawford needs to continue to provide steady, reliable play and make all the saves he should make. If Los Angeles has to really earn all its goal in this series, Chicago’s offense should take care of the rest.

Bottom Line:

Los Angeles has been a tough team to read this postseason, and in addition to becoming a suddenly-potent offensive team, the Kings have already survived six elimination games. However, Los Angeles has been forced to play with its back against the wall so frequently because Quick has been a rollercoaster between the pipes, and that is not a recipe for success against a Chicago team with plenty of offensive firepower and a reliable option in net. Granted, the playoffs are all about surviving and advancing, but it’s worth noting that the Kings were able to engineer their comebacks against a San Jose team with a history of postseason collapses and an Anaheim team that had no idea who its No. 1 goalie was. The Blackhawks on the other hand know what they have in net, and they have handful of weapons on offense that make the type of individual plays that can be the difference between winning and losing a game. Chicago is a complete team, and it will put a stop to the Kings’ Cinderella run.

Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks Win in 7 Games

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