NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: 5 Matchups to Watch in Coyotes-Blackhawks Series

Let the games begin! The storylines are many. A hot goaltender out West and a talented, yet injury riddled club in the Windy City. This Thursday night the Chicago Blackhawks and the Phoenix Coyotes begin their battle in the desert at 10 p.m. ET.

The 'Yotes come in as the third seed in the West after wrapping up the Pacific Division over the weekend. Their netminder, Mike Smith, is red hot having given up two goals in his last five outings. Ray Whitney has shown no signs of age and at 39 is poised to lead Phoenix to a deep playoff run.

Though the Coyotes are coming out of the weakest division in the conference, they have been playing playoff-caliber hockey over the last few weeks.

Despite missing their captain, Jonathan Toews, the Chicago Blackhawks have gone 12-2-4 since the trade deadline. Questions still linger about the general health of the Hawks as this series begins. At the same time, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa have continued to played great hockey. Corey Crawford has earned back the starting goaltending job and the defensive unit has tightened up.

This series has all the ingredients to be a dandy. While fans have a few sleepless nights before Thursday, here is a look at some of the matchups and storylines to pay attention to to when the puck drops later this week.

The Goaltending Battle

Mike Smith of the Coyotes looks to be on top of his game. If anything can get a team deep into the playoffs, it is a hot goaltender.

The 29-year-old finished the season with a 2.21 GAA and eight shutouts. Not shabby in the least. Though he saw a couple of games in the postseason last year with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he has yet to be significantly tested. We'll see how he fares against one of the more explosive offensive units in the league.

Though the 'Hawks Corey Crawford was sublime in a thrilling seven-game series loss at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks in 2011, he has been inconsistent this season. In the last few weeks, he has raised his game and had the confidence of his teammates. At the same time, one bad game and the questions will begin. Ray Emery is playoff-tested and will be chomping a the bit to get a nod.

While Crawford needs to be strong, Smith may be counted on to steal the series. 

Special Teams

Of the 16 teams in the postseason, why not have the two with the worst power-play units face off against one another? 

At seasons end, the 'Hawks were 26th in the league at 15.2 percent, while the 'Yotes were 29th at 13.6 percent. 

On talent alone, one would think that the 'Hawks would have the upper hand. The problem is, they are 27th in the league in killing penalties. It's shocking a team layered with their personnel would struggle this badly on special teams play.

What Phoenix has going for them is their penalty kill. At 85.5 percent, they finished eighth in the league.

Because of Chicago's speed, you may find them a man-up more often than Phoenix. So while both teams struggle on the power play, if the 'Yotes can shutdown the often anemic Chicago power play, they will put themselves in a good position to win games and the series.  

Secondary Scoring

Certainly if the Hawks or Coyotes expect to win, their stars will have to come to the forefront. 

On the Chicago side, everyone is holding their breath waiting to hear if Jonathan Toews will be in the lineup for the first game and it is unclear whether or not Dave Bolland will be in the mix. Patrick Sharp, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa will need to carry a load offensively.

For the Hawks to win, players like Viktor Stalberg, Andrew Shaw, Andrew Brunette and Marcus Kruger will need to chip in timely goals.

Though the Coyotes have won with solid defense, they will need more than Shane Doan, Ryan Whitney and Radim Vrbata to score. Those are the only three players on their roster to break the 20-goal mark this season. 

Lauri Korpikoski, Martin Hanzal and Daymond Langkow will need to contribute to the score sheet and the 'Yotes will have to have some unsung heroes step up.

Whichever team gets better contributions from their role players will take the series. 

Will Phoenix Try to Trap Chicago?

In the last two seasons, teams that have tried to skate with the Hawks often end up on the wrong end of the final score. There is little doubt the Blackhawks have players who can motor and if the Coyotes chose to go end to end with Chicago, the 'Hawks could win the series convincingly.

With Keith Yandle, Adrian Aucoin and Mike Smith Phoenix is fifth in the league in goals-against per game.

Solid team defense can win in the postseason. If the Coyotes get an early lead, do not be surprised to see them shift to a passive 1-2-2 forecheck to slow the 'Hawks down. Playing against a team that was tied for fifth with 2.94 goals per game, Phoenix may have little choice.

If and when this happens, it will be interesting to see if the Hawks can handle it mentally and continue to scrap for chances. 

Will the Seabrook/Torres Saga Re-Ingnite?

In the first round of the 2011 playoffs, Raffi Torres took a run at Brent Seabrook. His flying elbow went unpunished by the league and then Seabrook skated in a fog for the remainder of the series.

Torres, now in Phoenix, is still a live wire and plays by the seat of his pants. If the 'Yotes need a jolt, there is little question that Torres will target someone. It very well could be Seabrook again.

The Hawks do have more muscle to withstand physical battles and protect their skill players this year. Regardless, in any playoff series it doesn't take long for the blood to boil.  

Keep an eye on this one and any other personal battles that could manifest when the puck drops.