NHL Playoffs 2011: 5 Keys to the Blackhawks-Canucks Series

The Vancouver Canucks could not have been happy that Chicago and Dallas both lost their last regular season games. Those two losses ensured that the Canucks would face the Blackhawks in the first round of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

With the drop of the first puck in that best-of-seven coming Wednesday night, all eyes are on whether or not the defending champs have what it takes to repeat their historic run of last season.

We at Bleacher Report decided then to break down the Blackhawks' chances of taking down the President's Trophy winners into five simple keys for success. Without further ado, we kick things off with a little talked-about subject at No. 5.

5. Protect Patrick Sharp

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 20: Patrick Sharp #10 of the Chicago Blackhawks lays on the ice after an injury as Brent Seabrook #7 looks down during the first period of the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 20, 2011 in Glendale, Ar

Chicago's leading goal scorer is only a few weeks removed from a knee injury that saw him sidelined for the last handful of games for the Blackhawks.

If they are going to have any shot at this series, or indeed winning it all, they are going to have to keep Vancouver's big guys off of him—especially in the first few tilts. The Hawks don't want to come home down 0-2, but they are much better off limiting Sharp's ice time and splitting games in Vancouver than playing him as if he's 100 percent.

If he re-aggravates that knee injury, Hawks fans can kiss their back-to-back title hopes goodbye.

4. Contain Henrik Sedin on the Perimeter

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ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 25: Henrik Sedin #33 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Atlanta Thrashers at the Philips Arena on March 25, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

There's a reason that Vancouver's captain is Henrik Sedin and not his brother who leads the team with 41 goals. When that top line is on the ice they are the most potent forwards in the NHL today, but it all goes through No. 33.

With 75 assists and 94 points, Henrik knows how to create scoring chances and can also finish them on his own. If the Hawks want to give Calder Trophy-hopeful Corey Crawford a chance, they are going to have to contain Henrik along the half boards and in the corners.

If they allow him positioning in the slot or behind the net where he can create chances in an instant, they are going to have four very long but deflating losses, and will be heading home soon.

3. Leave the Stretch Passes at Home

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 10: Duncan Keith #2 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center on April 10, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Image

The Blackhawks showed their ability to make defenses over-extend themselves in the home-and-home against Detroit to finish the regular season. However, Vancouver will not be so easily caught out of position and can turn those long passes into turnovers and breakaways very quickly.

Their best bet is to play the offense we all knew and loved in the playoffs last year. The Hawks will need to play chip-n-chase hockey and move the puck around the outside quickly and crisply.

If they can cycle the puck properly, slow down the pace of the game, retain possession of the puck and—most importantly—wait for shooting lanes to be open, they will have a good shot at putting pucks in the back of the net.

Don't forget, when they get it working, the Blackhawks have the fourth-best offense in the NHL this year and sometimes the best defense is a good offense.

2. Create Traffic in Front of the Net

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MONTREAL, CANADA - APRIL 5: Brent Sopel #55 of the Montreal Canadiens defends against Ryan Johnson #17 of the Chicago Blackhawks during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on April 5, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images

Last year it was Dustin Byfuglien, this year I believe it will be Ryan Johnson. Johnson is a veteran who is tough and willing to do whatever the team needs to win.

Last year, Dustin Byfuglien was able to stand tall in the deep slot and around the crease to rattle Luongo and create screens and "garbage" goals off of rebounds in front of the net.

If Johnson—or anyone for that matter—is willing to stand there and mark his territory, the Hawks can fire hard from the point and take snipe shots from the half boards and pile up plenty against the No. 1-seeded team in the West.

If they can't, they're going to have a tough time picking apart the best defense-goaltender combo all season.

1. Play Fast and Physical from the First Puck Drop

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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

This really sums all of it up. The Blackhawks are going to have to step out of their comfort zone a bit and play physical, fast, two-way hockey. Don't get me wrong, they play fast, two-way hockey well, but far too often on both the fore and backchecks they have puck carriers lined up against the boards and they don't finish their checks.

As the game goes on, they have a tendency to step up the aggression level, but they need to do so from the outset. They are a smart team that stays out of the penalty box. If they can come out making clean hits around the ice, Vancouver will start making mistakes, whether they be in the form of turnovers or penalties.

Either way, the Hawks will need to create their own openings—and take full advantage of them when they are there—especially early in the game.