Ducks 4, Blackhawks 0

By Kevin Schroeder
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Updated: April 7, 2017

The Blackhawks, having nothing to play for the rest of the regular season, rested several veteran players for this game and it went about as well as you’d expect. One more of these in L.A. Saturday and then the playoffs.

A few things

Chief at Barstool Sports wrote this Thursday talking about what the Hawks’ playoff lines should be. He has 10 forwards as locks (I agree):

Nick Schmaltz – Jonathan Toews – Richard Panik

Artemi Panarin – Artem Anisimov – Patrick Kane

Ryan Hartman – Tanner Kero – Marian Hossa

_____– Marcus Kruger –_____

He picked John Hayden and Vinnie Hinostroza for the 4th line wings, which would be fine, but I’d flip Kruger and Kero in that scenario. Hinostroza and Tomas Jurco are pretty interchangeable to me; skilled players and quick skaters, but prone to goof-ups. Tie goes to the guy I’d feel more comfortable with at the face-off dot if need be. Personally, I’d pick Dennis Rasmussen over both. He brings a bit more bite, more defensive ability on that fourth line, and can kill penalties.

There’s no question about which six defensemen will play – Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Johnny Oduya, Brian Campbell, and Trevor van Riemsdyk. The only question is what the pairings will be.

My picks for 3 stars

★★★ Ryan Kesler, C, ANA (1 G)

★★ Rickard Rakell, C, ANA (1 G, 1 A)

★ John Gibson, G, ANA (37 SV, SO)

Twitter: @KSchroeder_312

E-mail: schroeder.giig@gmail.com