CBC-Sports

Blackhawks, Sharks a cut above the rest

January 22, 2010 12:10 PM | Posted by   Mike Milbury  

As we approach the Olympic break, it is evident that the Western Conference has two teams a cut about the rest.

That's not to say any one of a number of teams can't make a push, but there is a reason the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks have a double-digit lead on the rest of the bunch.

How do they stack up and will either team’s general manger - Doug Wilson in San Jose or Stan Bowman in Chicago -get creative down the stretch to gain the advantage?

Coaching: Todd McLellan in San Jose has done a fine job with the Sharks, but lacks experience. Joel Quenneville has the Hawks hogging the puck on most nights but their goals against is pretty impressive: Edge: Slight tilt to Chicago based on the experience factor.

Power play: San Jose is perplexingly bad at home on the power play but still 22.2 per cent overall. All sorts of weapons to choose from. Chicago is right behind them at 21.1 and has an equal number of options. Edge: Even

Penalty kill: Not much to separate them. San Jose kills at an 87 per cent rate and Chicago at about 86. Edge: Even

Forwards: San Jose's first line is impressive as Heatley, Marleau and Thornton all figure in the top 12 scorers in the league. Will Setoguchi, Pavelski and Clowe step it up in the secondary scoring department? Third and fourth lines with the likes of Malhotra and Ortmeyer and Nichol are a hardworking lot.

Chicago's top three forwards (Kane, Toews and Sharp) are not as prolific or as big as San Jose's top three but still an impressive and quick group. For secondary scoring, does it get any better than Hossa? Versteeg is talented, Byfuglien is a net presence and Troy Brower is working on a solid season. John Madden has been an excellent acquisition, responsible on a nightly basis and with a wealth of big game experience. Edge: Chicago based on depth, but San Jose's monsters could carry the day.

Defence: Who do you prefer, Duncan Keith or Dan Boyle? Brent Seabrook or Rob Blake? Brian Campbell or Doug Murray? The Chicago group seems just a little more skilful on the whole but Blake's experience in big games is a factor. Edge: Even

Goaltending: Here we have the most interesting debate. Evgeni Nabokov's numbers are great but his post-season performances have been less than stellar. Cristobal Huet can't find a way to shake Antti Niemi and grab the number one spot. Goals-against numbers in the Windy City are pretty darn good, but neither goaltender has significant playoff experience. Edge: San Jose

Not much to distinguish one over the other.

The character question looms over San Jose like the darkest cloud you can imagine. No one wants to leave the game with the reputation that they were on great teams but didn't have the jam or commitment to push it over the top. If the Sharks stay healthy and still can't push to the Cup Final, the question of character and resolve will be answered about this team with finality.

For the Hawks, facing huge dollar issues, they need to feel comfortable in the all important position of goaltending. Average goaltending will crush a team's spirit in the post-season.

With a matchup this even, it may just be the general manager who tips the balance one way or the other. With the March trading deadline looming after Vancouver's Olympics, Wilson and Bowman will need to assess and act to fill the needs of each club. The right move at the deadline can both plug a hole and give a team a jolt of confidence ... players have been known to get a boost by deadline deals.

And which team do I like? Ask me the day after the deadline.

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