NHL Playoffs 2012: 10 Burning Questions for the Chicago Blackhawks in 1st Round

The Chicago Blackhawks are on their way to Phoenix for the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs. As the two teams prepare to start the series Thursday night, there are several questions on my mind.

For the first time this season, both teams meet while playing pretty good hockey. Chicago is 10-2-4 since the start of March, while the Coyotes have won their last five games to earn the third seed in the conference.

The outcome of this Western Conference quarterfinal will hinge on many of the answers to the following 10 questions.

1. Will Jonathan Toews Be Ready to Play Effective Minutes?

Toews skated with Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa in practice Monday and also took a spot on the first power-play unit. Unless there are negative effects stemming from his time on the ice, look for the captain to join the 'Hawks on the ice in Phoenix after missing the last 22 games of the regular season.

In theory, this is a huge boon to the Blackhawks. The question lies in how Toews handles his first game action in nearly two months.

If Toews returns and is able to skate 15 effective minutes a game, Chicago has one more weapon to throw at the Coyotes. His performance on Thursday will be very telling on how he can impact the series.

2. Exactly How Effective Is Dave Bolland Going to Be?

Bolland was healthy for most of the 2011-12 season, but generated the same 37-point total he had in an injury-filled season the year before.

The Rat did match his career high with 19 goals, but what most 'Hawks fans are expecting from Bolland is the playoff monster of previous campaigns. The checking line has been better in the final weeks of the season with Bryan Bickell coming around and Andrew Shaw's relentless energy.

Bolland's line will be charged with shutting down the Coyotes' top scorers. Time for Bolland to live up to the legend.

3. Can Corey Crawford Repeat Last Spring's Playoff Performance?

Crawford was the driving force behind the 'Hawks pushing Vancouver to seven games last season. Unfortunately, he hasn't shown that kind of dominance in his second season with Chicago.

Crawford played in 57 games in 2011-12, equaling his workload from a year ago. His 30-17-7 is very similar to the 33-18-6 mark he logged in his rookie season. The major difference has been his consistency and effectiveness in net.

With a 2.72 goals against average and a .903 save percentage, he has been a below-average goalie for stretches this season. That was a far cry from his 2011 playoff averages of 2.21 goals and .927 save percentage.

Against a below-average offensive club like Phoenix, Crawford may not have to repeat his heroics from last year's battle with the Canucks. He does, however, need to avoid games like the two in which he was pulled for Ray Emery this season against the Coyotes.

4. How Important Is Home Ice?

Chicago has beaten Phoenix in the Jobing.com arena this season. The 'Hawks are 27-8-6 in the United Center but have not been a great road team this season. Phoenix, on the other hand, has similar records at and away from home.

Chicago is the team that has to win at least one game on Coyotes' ice to win the series. Getting one of the first two games in Phoenix would be huge.

5. Is Brandon Bollig Needed on the Fourth Line?

Bollig has come up and lent a physical presence as well as a penchant for smiling as he throws and receives punches. Since coming up on February 29th, he has neither a goal or an assist in 18 games.

He does, however, have 58 penalty minutes, trailing only Jamal Mayers and Daniel Carcillo for the team lead in this department. Bollig was brought up to replace the fists of John Scott. He did that and then some.

Bollig saw action in eight fights in his time with the 'Hawks. Now that the playoffs are looming, fighting will be limited and Bollig will be a healthy scratch in the postseason. Or will he?

Bollig has been a part of a rugged fourth line with Mayers and whichever forward Joel Quenneville matches them up with. Will Quenneville decide to stay with the brand of play that allowed Chicago to finish strong down the stretch?

What Bollig can do in the five to 10 minutes he may get on the ice a night could prove to be a big factor in how the 'Hawks handle what could be a physical series.

6. How Will the Rookies Handle a Playoff Atmosphere?

Along with Bollig, Chicago has gotten contributions from rookies like Andrew Shaw, Dylan Olsen and Jimmy Hayes.

Shaw figures to play big minutes on the checking line. Hayes and Olsen may not get regular starts, but Marcus Kruger, who is finishing out his rookie season, should be a player to watch as well.

Kruger was around for the playoffs in 2011, but the 'Hawks are counting on him being a different player than the one who came aboard late in that season. Does Kruger continue to center the second line, which has been very effective of late?

The pressure for rookies gets cranked up a notch or two. How will the younger Blackhawks handle the more intense atmosphere?

7. Can Dominating at Even Stregnth Be Enough for Chicago?

The Blackhawks are pathetic when up a skater. Their penalty kill is also amongst the worst in the league. Phoenix is also not the possessor of a strong power play, though their penalty kill was eighth in the NHL this season.

The 'Hawks committed the fewest minor penalties in the NHL this season. It is possible that by limiting time in the box, Chicago can rely on its advantages over Phoenix at even strength.

8. Can the 'Hawks Close out Games?

The fact that Chicago dropped third-period leads in both of its final two games makes this a fair question.

The 'Hawks have been decidedly better in holding onto a lead this season. Last week's finishes do give Chicago fair warning, however.

The Coyotes aren't equipped to pour in late goals. Just the same, the postseason isn't the time to let up on opponents.

9. Will Star Power Win out over the Mentality of the Pack?

From a talent standpoint, Chicago has a decided edge on the top two lines. Star power like Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane, along with Toews if he can make an effective return, could tip the scales in the team's favor.

Phoenix, however, plays a strong team game and buys into the system coached by Dave Tippett. The Coyotes' style of play has earned them their first division title in franchise history. Can it win them a playoff series?

10. Can the 'Hawks Solve the Enigma That Is Mike Smith?

The Phoenix goalie enters the postseason as the league's hottest netminder, as his NHL player of the week award would suggest.

Smith has had the 'Hawks number in three games this season. He has been the difference in a close game with the Coyotes in December and shut out Chicago in February in the last meeting between the two teams.

It's pretty simple. To win this series, the 'Hawks need to get the puck past Smith.