A Rivalry Renewed...Why Hawks Will Win.

In sports, rivalries carry much more then a score. They capture the emotions, pride and competition that go into game.  But is it even fair to call it “just

In sports, rivalries carry much more then a score. They capture the emotions, pride and competition that go into game.  

But is it even fair to call it “just a game”?  

On Sunday afternoon the Detroit Redwings and Chicago Blackhawks will go head-to-head and renew a rivalry that’s anything but “a game”.  

The Detroit Redwings over the past decade plus, have been the best franchise in Hockey. The Chicago Blackhawks frankly haven’t been. The Wings ability to be competitive and win, year after year, has even earned them the distinction of “Hockeytown”.  

But after the death of long time owner William Wirtz, the Chicago Blackhawks have made a resurgence. One that has seen them go from the bottom of the NHL to the envy of franchise turn around stories. Coupled with record attendance and a unprecedented television ratings, the Chicago Blackhawks has not so quietly become a Stanley Cup contender. 

And once again, just like that, the oldest rivalry in hockey has been renewed.

This time however, unlike the past, the Blackhawks have the upper hand, and have played themselves into contention to dismantle the Wings Dynasty.

After hard fought 2nd round match-ups, the series goes to Detroit, who earned home ice advantage throughout. But after that, most competitive edges stop.

In only one proven area, the Wings have the obvious advantage; experience. One that can never be overstated. Detroit has 19 players on its roster with Stanley Cup rings to the Hawks 3. 

But experience doesn’t win Championships. Team play, execution, toughness and skill do. 

After two rounds of the playoffs, the Chicago Blackhawks are first in scoring, and first in power play efficiency. They have shown the ability to score, and score often. Even on the league’s best goalie, Roberto Luongo, the managed to put up 7 goals in the clinching game. 

Chris Osgood, has played well thus far. But for the Wings to have any chance, he’ll have to stand on his head. Even if he’s able to do that, his teammates will need to score 3-4 goals a game to win. 

The game plan on Chicago is simple for most teams to talk about but hard to execute. Play physical and try and throw their talent off. But as Calgary and Vancouver will attest to, the Hawks depth and skill can’t be suppressed for long. 

A simple comparison between individual scoring leaders and team scoring but at even strength and power play won’t yield the same results for the Blackhawks. They don’t have a single player in the top five individually. But as a team they’re scoring almost 4 goals a game. 

There’s no doubt Detroit's a great team. Probably the greatest team over the last 15 years. But there’s a new dawn in Hockey and it’s in Chicago. 

Their youthful exuberance has reignited a City and rivalry. This series will be a hard fought and passionate one. But as in all rivalries the games aren’t just between the teams on the ice, they are between cities, people, families and friends. 

Hawks in 6!

 

Stay Tuned for a rebuttal article by Hondo, but how the Wings might win!