Is the Chicago Blackhawks/Vancouver Canucks Rivalry Ready To Heat Up?

One of the NHL's fastest growing feuds is set to renew Saturday night in Vancouver as the Canucks host the Chicago Blackhawks.  The two teams have seen a lot of each other the previous two seasons, with the Blackhawks currently holding the upper hand with two playoff series wins in 2009 and 2010.

With some roster turnover on both teams, has this rivalry settled down a bit?  Or, with the Canucks eyeing a deeper run in the playoffs next spring, will the bad blood continue to boil?

Beginnings: March 29, 2009

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CHICAGO - MARCH 29: Duncan Keith #2 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Alex Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks fight in the third period on March 29, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Canucks defeated the Blackhawks 4-0. (Photo by Jonathan

The Canucks came into Chicago for a late season match up, winning 4-0.  At the 5:50 mark of the final period, Dustin Byfuglein took a jab at Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo, starting a donnybrook that saw Ben Eager square off with Kevin Bieksa and Duncan Keith tangle with Alex Burrows.  Keith got a hand in Burrow's mouth.  Burrow's responded by pulling Keith's hair.  80 penalty minutes later, a feud was born.

Things Heat Up: 2009 Western Conference Semifinals

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CHICAGO - MAY 11: Adam Burish #37 of the Chicago Blackhawks fights for control of a faceoff against Ryan Johnson #10 of the Vancouver Canucks during Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 11, 2009 at th

Vancouver talked big going into the team's 2009 second round playoff tilt, but the Hawks came back from a 2-1 deficit to win the series.

Vancouver had a chance to take a 3-1 lead in the series, but Andrew Ladd's overtime goal in game four proved to be the turning point in the series. 

Willie Mitchell questioned Patrick Kane's ability to hurt the Canucks at even strength.  Kane responded with a hat trick in the clinching game.  All three goals were at even strength.  Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo was in tears after the Hawks roared back to win the series 4-2.

A hit from Ladd left Ryan Kesler with a broken nose.  Kesler, Mitchell, Luongo and the rest of the Canucks went home to stew while Chicago moved on to the conference finals.

At this point, it was readily apparent that dislike was rife among the two teams.

Toews Feels the Impact: October 20, 2009

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 21: Colin Fraser #46 of the Chicago Blackhawks mixes it up with Aaron Rome #29 of the Vancouver Canucks in front of the net at the United Center on October 14, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. The Canucks defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. (Photo by

It didn't take long for hostilities to continue the following season.  In the first meeting between the Hawks and Canucks, Mitchell came out of the penalty box laid Jonathan Toews out with a big hit at center ice. The hit resulted in a concussion that kept the Chicago captain out for two weeks.

Dave Bolland responded by slashing Henrik Sedin's wrists after Blackhawks' retaliation resulted in a Vancouver power play.  The Canucks won the game 3-2 and sent a message to Chicago that the physical play of the previous spring was going to continue.

The Feud Simmers: Regular Season Skirmishes and Olympic Promises

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CHICAGO - MARCH 29: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks fires a shot past Shane O'Brien #55 of the Vancouver Canucks just missing Roberto Luongo #1 on March 29, 2009 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Canucks defeated the Blackhawks 4-0

The Hawks won the rematch in Vancouver 1-0 on a Byran Bickell goal, with Eager and Rick Rypien dropping the gloves early in the game.

This was followed by a 5-1 Canucks victory in January.  Ladd and Kesler went at it again in the first, renewing personal issues from the previous spring.

"He (Ladd)'s a coward, and that's the way it is," Kesler said.  ”It started last year in the playoffs.  He hit me (and) cross-checked me in the face when I wasn't looking. At least he was man enough to hit me when I was looking this time.”

Patrick Kane revealed after the Olympic tournament that Luongo had whispered to him in the handshake line, "See you in the playoffs." 

Brent Seabrook and Albert Andrews tangled early in the March 5th contest, a 6-3 Blackhawks win that saw Luongo pulled from goal after the first period after giving up five goals.

Same Time, Next Year: 2010 Western Conference Semifinals

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAY 11: Shane O'Brien #55 of the Vancouver Canucks hits Patrick Sharp #10 of the Chicago Blackhawks with a high stick during the second period in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs o

A luck would have it, Luongo's wish came true, and Chicago and Vancouver squared off in the Western Conference Semifinals for the second straight season.

The Canucks won the opener in Chicago, then watched the Blackhawks come back from a 2-0 deficit to take game two.  Vancouver dropped a pair of contests in GM Place, topped off by Dustin Byfuglein and Toews recording hat tricks in consecutive games.

Byfuglein in particular was a thorn in Luongo's side for most of the series. Once again the Canucks found themselves out of the playoffs at the hands of the Blackhawks.

"I don't think they're a better team than us," Luongo said, "but maybe just a smarter team that knows how to win."

The Hawks know how to win in GM Place.  They are 5-1 in the facility over the course of the last two playoff series games played there.  They have also split the four regular season games in Vancouver the last two seasons.

This Year's Opening: All Quiet On the Western Front

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 20: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks battles for the puck with Peter Schaefer #18 (L) and Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks at the United Center on October 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Can

Chicago scored a 2-1 shootout victory at United Center in the first meeting of the Blackhawks and Canucks this season.  Both teams behaved themselves reasonably well, though Hawks coach Joel Quenneville called the contest "intense".

Luongo wound up kicking in Kane's game winner in the final round of the shootout.

With game two of the season series set to commence Saturday night, what can we expect?

Where Are the Usual Suspects?

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 20: Ryan Kesler #17 of the Vancouver Canucks battles during a face-off with Jake Dowell #28 of the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on October 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Canucks 2-1 in overtime. (Ph

Chicago lost a lot of the principals from the rivalry's battles.  Ladd, Eager, Byfuglein, and Adam Burrish are all playing out of town.  The Canucks return most of their protagonists, although Mitchell is now with the Kings and Shane O'Brien skates with Nashville.

Luongo, who has not looked good in either playoff battle with the Hawks, is still itching to get a shot at redemption and help propel his team past Chicago in the Western Conference.

Keith and Burrows are still around.  The two have scrapped before and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them drop the gloves again.

The New Guy

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 30: Brad Winchester #15 of the St. Louis Blues fights John Scott #32 of the Chicago Blackhawks during a pre-season game at the Scottrade Center on September 30, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Perhaps the best indicator to how physical this feud could get is if the Blackhawks send John Scott out on the ice.  He has a history with Vancouver, and he's up for a dropping of the gloves.

''Last year I really beat up on one of their guys bad and put him out for the season,'' Scott said, referring to an altercation he had with Alex Bolduc. ''So I've always battled with these guys. I'm always willing to [mix it up], especially with Vancouver. I don't like that team.''

Feud Status: 2010-11

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MAY 11: Andrew Alberts #4 of the Vancouver Canucks hits Marian Hossa #81 of the Chicago Blackhawks along the end boards during the second period in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

This feud may have to heat back up over the course of the season, but I believe it will.

Both teams are among the better outfits in the Western Conference and two good teams going back and forth is what makes an outstanding rivalry.  From a playoff perspective, it's been a bit one-sided, but the Canucks are hoping to change that this year.

Vancouver wants what Chicago has: a Stanley Cup.  They know that they may have to go through the Blackhawks to get it.  I'm sure Luongo would like nothing better than to shut out the Hawks in a series clincher.

Guys like Jake Dowell getting face to face with Bieksa.  Dave Bolland harassing the Sedins.  Burrows and Keith shoving around the net.  Kane looking to make his goals hurt the Canucks in their own building.  John Scott (assuming the Hawks suit him up) looking to dance.  All before a GM Place crowd thirsty for a home win over Chicago.

Is anyone else ready for this game?  Be sure to tune in Saturday night.