NHL Western Conference Finals Preview: Blackhawks-Sharks

Chicago and San Jose both took down worthy opponents in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Blackhawks handled Vancouver in six while the Sharks shocked the hockey world with their five game upset over Detroit.

The West's top two seeds will battle for a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. 

The regular season head-to-head match-ups favor the Hawks. 

Chicago took  three of four meetings with the Sharks, including a 7-2 blowout win in San Jose. 

But those numbers don't matter at this stage.

This will be a fast paced series, with the Sharks owning a physical edge over the Hawks. But Chicago has shown that speed beats brawn, as evidenced by their disposal of  Nashville and Vancouver, both physical teams. 

San Jose has rested for nearly a week. They are bound to be a little rusty, giving the Hawks an advantage heading into the first two games at San Jose.

The Hawks, on the other hand, are coming off a huge morale booster. I expect the Hawks to steal a game in San Jose, bringing home ice back to Chicago. 

But is home ice really an advantage for the Hawks? The stats say no.

During the playoffs, the Hawks are 3-3 in the United Center and 5-1 on the road.

This time, the Hawks don't have the initial home-ice advantage, which, as their postseason road record indicates, could work in Chicago's favor.

 I believe San Jose played their best hockey of the season against Detroit. The Sharks cemented, in my mind, that they could face off against the Hawks, or any other team. 

The Sharks have been considered a lame duck in the playoffs.

In the past few seasons, despite drawing high seeds in the Western Conference, San Jose has stumbled in the playoffs. 

It's a different story this year. 

The Sharks are finally getting top notch production from both the skaters and the goaltender. 

From an outsider's point of view, I still like the Hawks in six games. Chicago has the talent, the potent offense and the goaltending  to take the series.