The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
You don't need a crystal ball, psychic powers or the cryptic writings of Nostradamus to make this prediction. Early into the second round of the NHL playoffs, we can safely assert that the Chicago Blackhawks will be the last men standing this post-season. Some impressive facts are worth digging up. First, during the abbreviated regular season, the Hawks scored the second-most goals with a lineup led by Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Brandon Saad and D-men Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Between the pipes, Corey Crawford was out of this world. Thanks to him and Ray Emery, not to mention a solid blueline, Chicago allowed the fewest goals in the league _ just 102 in 48 games. With seven defeats, the boys from the Windy City lost just 14.6 per cent of the time. And they were as strong on the road (18-4-2) as they were at home (18-3-3). They didn't miss a beat in an opening round that saw them dust off the often-pesky Minnesota Wild in five games. Crawford got the nod each time and put up some eye-popping numbers. Of 139 Wild shots, just seven lit the lamp behind C.C.'s head _ good for a .950 save percentage. Now, the Wild aren't exactly an offensive powerhouse. Neither are the Red Wings, against whom Chicago kicked off round two Wednesday. But even if those teams were loaded with scoring prowess, it likely wouldn't matter. Few goals against the Blackhawks ever come easy. Over in the East, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the only team with more regular-season goals than the Hawks, have taken a 1-0 series lead against the surprising Ottawa Senators. The Pens again opted for the red-hot Tomas Vokoun in net following some awe-inspiring play by Marc-Andre Fleury. (And by 'awe' I mean the sound you make when you feel sorry for someone because they are so pathetic). Even if Vokoun comes back to earth just a bit, these flightless birds will be fine against the hodge-podge Senators. And it's hard to imagine them having much difficulty with either the Bruins or Rangers, who are now battling for the chance to advance to the Eastern Final. All of which sets the stage for a rematch of the 1992 Stanley Cup Final that pitted Chicago against Pittsburgh. Remember how amazing the Penguins were back then? Lemieux, Jagr, Stevens, Francis, Tocchet, Mullen, Barrasso, etc., etc. Today's Penguins are good, but they ain't as good as that. And, as time will prove, they aren't better than the Chicago Blackhawks of 2013.
