2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Semifinals Picks: Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds and Predictions

2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Semifinals Picks: Minnesota Wild vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds and Predictions: For the second year in a row, the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks will meet in the playoffs. Unlike last year when the Wild were simply a first-round speed bump on Chicago’s run to the Stanley Cup, this meeting will come in the Western Conference semifinals with both sides having already proven themselves worthy opponents. The Blackhawks lost their first two games against St. Louis in the opening round, only to come roaring back and win the next four. Minnesota on the other hand trailed 2-0 in their series against Colorado and faced a pair of elimination games before winning a Game 7 on the road.

After ranking just 24th in the NHL in scoring during the regular season, Minnesota’s offense roared to life against Colorado as the Wild kept pace in a back-and-forth, high-scoring series. Star Zach Parise led the way, tallying three goals and dishing out seven assists. In net, rookie Darcy Kuemper was stout, going 3-1 and posting a 2.03 goals against average after taking over for Ilya Bryzgalov. Unfortunately for the Wild, Kuemper got hurt late in the series, forcing Bryzgalov back into action. For his part, Bryzgalov finished the series with a 1-2 record to go along a 4.26 goals against average and dismal .826 save percentage.

The Blackhawks’ calling card all year has been their offense, and during the year, they ranked second in the NHL in scoring. Led by stars like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp, Chicago’s offense has picked up right where it left off, averaging 3.33 goals per game in the first round. Meanwhile, goalie Corey Crawford looked refocused in the opening series, posting a 1.98 goals against average and a .935 save percentage.

The Wild Win If:

If the Wild are going to knock off the defending champs, they have to continue to get strong play from their Parise. He led Wild with 10 points in the first round, and while he will need help from his teammates, he is the one Minnesota player that has the individual skills to take the team’s offense to the next level. In net, the preferred scenario would be for Kuemper to be healthy enough to play, but if that isn’t the case, Bryzgalov has to be able to provide consistently solid play in net. If Parise can continue to help the Wild overachieve on offense and can find someone to provide solid play between the pipes, they will have a chance to pull off an upset.

The Blackhawks Win If:

For the Blackhawks to win the series, they have to continue to utilize their depth on the offense end to put pressure on the Wild. Chicago has multiple players and multiple lines that are capable of putting points on the board, and if the Blackhawks’ offense dictates the pace of the series, it is going to put a ton of pressure on a Minnesota offense that can be average at times. In net, Chicago needs Crawford to continue provide reliable play and make all the saves he is supposed to make.

Bottom Line:

Although a lot has changed from when these two times met last year, I’m not sure the outcome of the series will. For one, Kuemper’s status is up in the air at best, and if Bryzgalov ends up being the primary goaltender for Minnesota, it is hard to imagine Chicago’s offense not having a big series. More importantly, the Blackhawks are the defending Stanley Cup champs, and they have all the poise and experience that the young Avalanche team lacked when they gave away control of the series against Minnesota in the opening round. With that in mind, Chicago’s combination of offensive firepower, solid goaltending and playoff experience should be enough to put them past the Wild comfortably.

Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks Win in 5 Games

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