Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Reasons Why Opening Against Detroit Beats Heading West

The Chicago Blackhawks, unlike a season ago, know that they will be in action following their last regular-season game Saturday in Detroit. The 'Hawks are playoff-bound. All that will be decided is the Western Conference team Chicago squares off against.

This weekend's game with the Red Wings may or may not decide Chicago's playoff seed and opponent. The Blackhawks could still draw any one of a half-dozen teams. Detroit and Nashville sit right above the 'Hawks at fourth and fifth in the conference. Chicago could still move up a spot and catch either of those teams.

They could also stay in their current position as the sixth seed. Since the Pacific Division title has yet to be decided, the 'Hawks could travel to Dallas, Phoenix, San Jose or Los Angeles for the start of the conference quarterfinals.

Detroit took another step toward locking up the fourth seed via a furious comeback victory over the Blues Wednesday night. The Red Wings are a dangerous veteran club who look to have home ice in the first round. Might opening the playoffs in Detroit be preferable to traveling West next week?

Here are three arguments for keeping your fingers crossed for a trip back to Detroit April 11th.

1. Travel

Chicago, barring a lot of good fortune, is going to wind up on the road to start the playoffs. Assuming Dallas has fallen out of the title picture in the Pacific, the 'Hawks face a long trip out West.

Right now, the Kings sit in the third spot. Winging to the coast a few times in a seven-game series takes a lot out of a team in the postseason. The availability of Staples Center could create some scheduling issues as well.

A Chicago-Detroit series offers short trips and perhaps an extra day or two for the players to sleep in their own beds. That could be advantageous in an extended playoff run.

Of course, a longer run would have to start with beating the Red Wings.

2. Style of Play

Facing off with Detroit would allow the Blackhawks to play a game based more on skating and puck possession as opposed to more physical, defensive styles employed by the teams in the Pacific Division.

For a team that is banged up like Chicago, that could prove to be an advantage.

3. Head-to-Head Results

The Kings have shut out Chicago twice this season. San Jose and Phoenix have also blanked the 'Hawks in 2011-12.

Chicago is 1-2-1 when playing Los Angeles and the Coyotes. They split the season series with the Sharks and Stars.

The games with the Red Wings have been low-scoring affairs, but Chicago has won three and dropped a pair of overtime games.

4. Watchability

Is there anyone out there who prefers midnight finishes to the games, as there would surely be with L.A. or San Jose?

Overtime? Not for fans who work early.

Playing Detroit equals a few early starts (and finishes). That's a big plus to younger fans getting their playoff freak on.

5. Tradition

It goes without saying that any first-round opponent presents a challenge to the Blackhawks. At the same time, Chicago is playing solid hockey and is capable of beating any team in the Western Conference.

All things being equal, who wouldn't want to see an Original Six war waged between these storied rivals? Hearkening back to the old divisional round, the playoff intensity would be at an optimal level.

There is little in the way of motivation needed to get Chicago's postseason juices flowing. Both Joe Louis Arena and the United Center would be hopping every night.

Sure, any opening-round matchup would have something to get excited about. However, a 'Hawks vs. Wings tilt promises something extra in the way of fan interest on both sides.