Finals Preview: Keys to Hawks Success.

Ah, it's finally here!

Finals time, and I'm not talking about those tests you take in high school and college that are worth a majority of your grade. No, I am talking about the Stanley Cup Finals; the greatest 7 game series in the history of sports. The winner takes all contest for Lord Stanley's beloved trophy. Hoisting the trophy has been the dream of these men ever since they put on their first pair of skates, and for some it will come true in the coming days.

Hockey is the game I love, and the Blackhawks the team I love. Nothing excites me more than the chance of winning another Stanley Cup. Only one problem, the team that stands between Chicago and the ultimate prize is Boston.

Had this been a few weeks ago we were talking about a young Boston defense, Chara playing far too many minutes, and a game 7 against Toronto after dropping two straight I would have laughed at you.

But, this isn’t the same Boston team that dropped 2 straight to go to a game 7. This is a Boston team that has pulled off a miracle, scoring two goals in the final two minutes of that game 7 to send it to overtime, and winning in that overtime. That same Bruins squad travelled to Pittsburg and embarrassed the Penguins on their home ice. They took that series home and finished off the sweep.

I don’t think anyone would have chosen the Bruins to sweep the team who many chose to win the Stanley Cup with some ease.

After seeing what has transpired this postseason I am terrified of the Boston Bruins, as all Hawks fans should be. Here are some keys for the Hawks to win this series, and bring a championship to Chicago.

Power Play:

The Bruins have made it to Finals with a stout defense and finesse on offense, and as long as they continue to play such good defense the Blackhawks will struggle to come up with goals on offense. I believe the key to this series is in the Blackhawks special teams. They need to come up with goals on the power play, and their penalty killing needs to remain spotless. I have noticed all season on the man advantage the Blackhawks tend to be very pass happy. Coach Q needs this to change if he wants to take home his second Cup in Chicago. 

Player rotation and putting bodies in front will be key, as shown when beating Quick in the last series (even though Tuuka Rask is a different goaltender, the idea remains the same).  

The amount of opportunity the Hawks see on the power play doesn't matter if they remain the stagnant pass happy offense they are on special teams.

Defense men:

The Blackhawks have some of the best offensive defense men in the league. There are two ways I believe the defense could be pivotal in this series:

 Pitching in on offense. The D-men will need to be able to contribute on offense, but not by scoring goals. Coach Q will ask them to do what they have done a majority of the season. They will pinch and pinch hard. It is very important for the D-men to keep pucks in the zone, and keep the possession. The longer we have the puck, the more chances we have to score, and most importantly the less time the Bruins have to score on us.

Shot Blocking. Everyone on the Hawks is fantastic at this. Getting your body in front of pucks and taking one for the team is how we’ll have to stop Boston. No matter how many amazing saves Crawford makes he needs to see less shots per game this series.

Patrick Kane:

Patrick Kane’s play in game 5 of the Western Conference Finals was spectacular, and his teammates are going to need him to play at that high level for the entire series. Johnathan Toews and Kane will feed off each other and need to return to Star form for this series quite like they had in the last game.  Although, I believe (besides goalies) Patrick Kane will need to be the most productive player on the ice in order for the Cup to come to Chicago.

The road ahead is long and brutal road. Although I believe the Blackhawks are the best team in the NHL, Boston is too hot. If they play the way they did against Pittsburgh there is no stopping this team.

My prediction is Chicago in 7. I think that home ice advantage and the forward play of Chicago will be too much for Boston to handle. It may go to an overtime or double overtime in game 7.

I do know that this is going to be an amazing series to watch, so strap in my friends were on the Road to the Cup: Chicago.