A Win Against the Detroit Red Wings Is Key for the Chicago Blackhawks

A win Sunday will be a crucial barometer on how ready this Blackhawks' team is going into the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Not only will it cement their place as the No. 1 seed, thus giving them the home ice advantage throughout the Western Conference, but beating the Red Wings the last game of the regular season will put a big exclamation point on what has been a phenomenal season!

It will not be easy. The Red Wings are the healthiest they have been all season, and they are winning at a clip that proves what every team in the conference knows, the road to the Finals will (at least partially) have to go through Hockeytown.

The Red Wings are 15-3-2 since the Olympic break, whereas the Blackhawks are 11-7-2.

After losing back-to-back games to the Blue Jackets and then to the Blues (arguably the worst stretch all season), the 'Hawks have seemed to regain their stride with six wins in a row.

In order to maximize this winning tide, I believe Antti Niemi needs to not only get the win, but to be next to stellar. We have seen both sides of Niemi. The side who is young (in terms of experience in the NHL), and the side who shows many flashes of brilliance. The brilliance being in the form of multiple shutouts and some very, very good games outside those shutouts.

The victory obviously does not solely rest on Niemi's abilities, the offense will have to be aggressive and the defense will have to be as close to the level they were at prior to the Olympic break.

Every turnover, soft goal, and lack of finishing that the Blackhawks are guilty of, will most certainly be magnified when the playoffs arrive.

Going forward with a stellar performance will not only bolster the young Niemi's confidence, but also the team's and fans' confidence in him.  There is no doubt in my mind that there will be a playoff atmosphere in the United Center tomorrow.