Chicago vs Anaheim in the first round....who wins?

Um...The Hawks aren't in the playoffs yet. And IF they do get in...they'll play the Canucks and get smoked.

Impossible to really say. I'm thinking Anaheim, but only because of there recent play. I think that Chicago is the much more constant and stable team that has a stronger core, but the Ducks top line and goaltending is so hot right now that any team, from Vancouver to Washington, would have trouble. I like Chicago much more, and think that they could also win. These are why I think either team could win:

Ducks: Not only do they have the recent Rocket Richard-quality play of Corey Perry, but also the stable play of Teemu Selanne, Vishnovsky, Bobby Ryan, and Ryan Getzlaf. Goaltending is the only question I have for Anaheim, and even there they are pretty stable without Hiller: They have both Ray Emery and Dan Ellis as back-ups. I have been thoroughly impressed with the play of what I originally considered a lackluster defense; however, the Duck's scouts sure got it right when they picked up Cam Fowler. His plus/minus is pretty bad, but he has become an important part of the power play.

Blackhawks: I have to believe that pretty much the only defensive pair in the whole NHL that could stop Corey Perry and his line mates is with Chicago through Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith. They are such a strong defensive group that can also score goals; it is pretty ridiculous. On top of that, Chicago has the amazingly strong stylings of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, and Patrick Kane. A month ago, I wasn't really sure about how good Corey Crawford would be in goal; however, he has turned out to be pretty impressive.

Can't say. It really could go either way. Whoever wins, it would be a Game 7, OT win. I think Chicago would pull it off if the teams met in the third round, since the Ducks would be so tired relying on the top line. Before that, it is a total toss-up to say.

Anaheim, Gutted Chicago blackhawks just don't have what they used to last year, plus their goalies are unreliable at best (although Crawfords getting better). Plus Anaheim just seems to be much more productive with players like Perry (98), Getzlaf (76), Selanne (80), Visnovsky (68), (their 3 starting goalies) Emery (.926), ellis (.898), Hiller (.924), (rookie) Fowler (40), and Ryan (71) up against Toews (76) , Kane (72), Hossa (56), Sharp (70), Keith (44), Seabrook (47), and Crawford (.918)

The Hawks just don't statistically match up. Plus I don't think Corey Perry's great season will end quickly, especially if Hiller gets back into working order. The Ducks just seem to want it more with Selanne leaving after this season, Perry's RR trophy coming, Fowler's first year out compared to the hawks who are still riding high off their last year victory

What a weird last day with CHI fans cheering for MIN. Bizarro stuff.

Still can't get over how many teams controlled their own fate and lost.

In any event, VAN-CHI for the third year running should be a good one.

Thought Keith tied it up at the end...

Anaheim in game 7 in OT

Crazy to think that with ONE game left, Chicago can finish anywhere from 5th to 9th in the west.

I would prefer both Chicago and Dallas losing, and seeing a Vancouver-Chicago matchup :)

It could happen, but first we have to beat the same Red Wings we have beaten three times before.

Let's wait to see where the Hawks finish first.

Anaheim.

Have to get one more point to make this relevant.

Well, the wild bailed out the passhawks, so it's the motha nuckers.

Don't you mean Dallas vs Vancouver?