Chicago Blackhawks Playoff Preview: Head-to-Head vs. the Phoenix Coyotes

The Chicago Blackhawks will be opening the postseason in Phoenix Wednesday night to a bit of history. The 'Hawks have never faced the Coyotes organization in a playoff series, dating back to when the franchise was based in Winnipeg.

Unlike last year's memorable Western Conference quarterfinal with Vancouver, there is no previous playoff feuds to draw upon. Nashville, with whom Chicago has a bit of postseason history, will be tangling with Detroit after the Blackhawks gave up a two-goal lead Sunday and let the Red Wings pick up a point.

Instead, Chicago draws the Pacific Division champs. Phoenix comes into the series the winners of its last five regular season games. The two teams met four times during the 2011-12 regular season with the 'Hawks going 1-2-1.

Before Game 1 gets underway at Jobing.com Arena, I'm going to start my series preview by putting a microscope to the four head-to-head meetings this past season. Let's go back and see how these games went for the Blackhawks.

October 18th, 2011: Chicago 5, Phoenix 2

The 'Hawks went into Phoenix and won their third game of the young season. Jamal Mayers tipped in the eventual game-winner midway through the second period, though the Coyotes threatened early in the final frame.

Phoenix found itself on the power play two minutes into the third. However, Dave Bolland swiped the puck from Radim Vrbata and slapped in a shortie past Jason LaBarbera to cushion the Chicago lead. Bryan Bickell added further insurance later in the period.

Marian Hossa and Jonathan Toews had the Blackhawks' first two goals. Corey Crawford picked up the win but saw just 16 from the Coyotes.

November 29th, 2011: Phoenix 4, Chicago 1

Returning home from the Circus Trip, Chicago fell prey to a strong game in net by Mike Smith, who had a shutout going until Patrick Sharp spoiled the bid with a goal in the final minute. Smith wasn't exactly pushed by a Blackhawks team that came out flat.

Crawford, on the other hand, was pulled in the third period after the Coyotes scored two goals in the first five minutes, turning a 2-0 lead in the first 40 minutes into a rout.

Ray Whitney had a goal and two assists on the night. Vrbata, Shane Doan and Daymond Langkow also scored for Phoenix.

December 5th, 2011: Phoenix 3, Chicago 2 (Shootout)

Less than a week later, Phoenix was back in town for a back-and-forth game that eventually went to the visitors.

Phoenix took a 3-0 lead with just over a minute gone in the second period before the 'Hawks got off the deck to tie the score by the end of the middle frame. Toews put in the first two goals, then assisted on a Patrick Kane equalizer in the 14th minute.

Crawford got the hook again after allowing three goals on 16 shots. Ray Emery came in following Keith Yandle's goal at 1:06 of the second and gave the 'Hawks a chance to pull the game out before succumbing in the shootout.

From November 25th to December 18th, Chicago was 9-1-1. Both losses during that stretch came at the hands of the Coyotes.

February 11th, 2012: Phoenix 3, Chicago 0

The 'Hawks were mired in what became a nine-game losing streak when they staggered into Phoenix and were shut out by Smith, who stopped 38 shots.

The Coyotes got goals from Vrbata, Boyd Gordon and Kyle Chipchura and cruised to the victory as Chicago searched for answers in all facets of its game.

If the timeline is accurate, Toews suffered a concussion the night before in San Jose but played in this game and four others before being removed from the lineup. He has yet to return.

Throw out the Records?

The point can be made that the 'Hawks aren't the same team that were shut out back in February. At the same time, Phoenix beat Chicago twice in the span of one of its better stretches.

Mike Smith has a 1.90 goals against average, a .959 save percentage and three wins over the Blackhawks. His name may not inspire the fear that Jonathan Quick or Pekka Rinne might have. Just the same, he commands every bit of the respect those netminders get from the 'Hawks.

No one can be overlooked in the postseason. The 'Hawks might have gotten the team with fewer points, but this is going to be a tough series.