Canucks-Blackhawks: Breaking Down the Second-Round Series

So this is the Western Conference's "other" second-round matchup?

Hardly.

The Canucks and Blackhawks offers an intriguing matchup of talented young playoff newcomers and a team of veterans with a red-hot goaltender.

By the end of these playoffs, the Vancouver Canucks might have gained an intimate understanding of the NHL's Central Division. They swept the St. Louis Blues in the first round and if they get by the Blackhawks, they could be facing Detroit in the conference finals.

Chicago finished off a six-game first-round victory over the more-experienced Calgary Flames and will now face another opponent from the Northwest Division.

So how do the teams stack up? Let's have a look:

Forwards

Vancouver's Sedin twins are leading the way for this team, just as they did during the regular season. They had a combined nine points in the first round sweep of St. Louis while also posting a combined plus-eight rating. The twins do it all and are some of the most complete players playing in the NHL.

Alex Burrows had three goals in the first round to lead the team while playing with the twins.

Veterans Pavol Demitra and Mats Sundin had a quiet series, notching only a single goal and two assists between them. They are both hungry, and the scoring should pick up a bit. This could be the last go around for both of them.  Sundin only played in two of the four games for Vancouver, as he is day-to-day with a groin injury.

Kyle Wellwood and Ryan Kesler also were quiet on the scoresheet and didn't play particularly well defensively against the Blues either.

Tyler Pyatt may return at some point during this series. He is currently on a leave of absence from the team after the death of his fiancée in a car accident.

Chicago spread the wealth around very evenly, and was led by rookie Kris Versteeg. The surprising young Calder Trophy nominee had seven points in the first round (two goals, five assists) and showed that he's ready for prime time.

Captain Jonathan Toews led the team with a plus-three, scoring two goals and four assists, and even upping the physical side of his game. He is growing into his role as team captain and leading by example.

Patrick Sharp notched three goals and three assists, with Martin Havlat posting identical numbers.

Patrick Kane missed a game during the first round, but was still able to chip in two goals and two assists, while Dustin Byfuglien also had four points.

Dave Bolland, Ben Eager, and Adam Burish were hit machines against the Flames, often wearing down the opposing line when they weren't in the penalty box that is.

The Blackhawks have an ideal mix of youth and skill with Havlat playing the role of veteran leadership.

Vancouver has the top two players in this series, but the top line can't do it all. Chicago has two scoring lines and a third line that can be dangerous at times too. Their forward depth is nearly unmatched.

Edge: Chicago

Defense

The Canucks' Sami Salo had a solid first round, notching four points in the first round despite missing a game due to a sore groin. He is currently day-to-day, but should be ready to go for Game One.

Willie Mitchell displayed his checking ability in the first round, and was tenacious against the Blues. He notched two assists as well.

Veteran Mattias Ohlund notched only a power-play goal, but his refined skill as a physical defenseman is still there.

Alexander Edler and Kevin Bieksa round out the Canucks big defense. They stifled St. Louis, making Luongo's job easier, but could potentially have some problems against the quicker Blackhawks.

Chicago got big production from their defensemen. Cam Barker, coming off a breakout season, scored three goals and three assists against the Flames, while big Brent Seabrook also had six points (one goal, five assists)

Veteran, Brian Campbell had four points to lead this Blackhawks defense while playing a patient game.

Duncan Keith was held off the scoresheet, but was Chicago's best defensive defenseman in the first round, turning in a plus-three rating.

The Canucks' defense is bigger and more physical, but there is more overall skill on the Blackhawks.

Edge: Chicago

Goaltending

The Blackhawks went with Nikolai Khabibulin over Christobel Huet and it paid off for them.

Khabibulin had a couple shaky games in Calgary but was great at home, coming through in the end. His 2.52 GAA shows that he'll need to play better on the road if this team is going to go far.

Roberto Luongo was nothing short of amazing for Vancouver. Facing an average of 32 shots per game in the first round, Luongo only allowed five total goals, posting a ridiculous GAA of 1.16 and a save percentage of .962 with one shutout.

He'll surely face a stiffer challenge from the Blackhawks, but he'll likely be up to the task.

And it's really no contest. This is the main strength of this Canucks team. Luongo is their captain and best player—and they'll go as he goes.

Edge: Vancouver

Intangibles

Chicago rose to the playoff challenge and beat the more-experienced Flames when there were questions surrounding their playoff readiness. Their home fans are rabid, but they'll start this series on the road.

Vancouver may have swept the Blues, but it wasn't an easy task. Still, this team has more potential than what was displayed in the first round—particularly from their hungry veterans, Demitra and Sundin.

Edge: Chicago

Coaching

Vancouver's Alain Vigneault is coaching like he wants it all. The coach's intensity was on full display in the first round. He handily out-coached Andy Murray, particularly on the penalty kill where he was outstanding.

Vigneault is using the break between rounds to get his team healthy while attempting to increase his team's scoring potential. Don't expect him to tone down the physical play, though.

Chicago's Joel Quenneville is an excellent developer of young talent, and he's done a fantastic job with the Blackhawks since taking over for Dennis Savard.

Historically, however, his teams haven't always performed the best in the playoffs. He's only made it past the second round once in his career—in 2001 with the St. Louis Blues.

Quenneville has his best shot in years to go deep, but Vigneault is the better tactician here.

Edge: Vancouver

Prediction

The Flames attempted to beat up the Blackhawks and it didn't work too well. If Vancouver wants to win, they'll have to rely on skill, and the Blackhawks have more of it.

This really comes down to how many games will Luongo be able to steal. This will be his defining moment and if he can lead the Canucks past Chicago, he'll be a frontrunner for the Conn Smythe.

Chicago is soaring right now, though, which makes this a hard series to call. They closed out the series in six games in Calgary, and they'll do the same in seven in Vancouver

Blackhawks in seven games.