Apr 12, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) celebrates scoring a goal against Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (not pictured) during the third period at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in the shoot out. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Along with Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins, and Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings, Jonathan Toews has been announced as a finalist to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL forward who demonstrated the most skill, in the defensive aspect of hockey.

This is the second time Toews has been nominated for the Selke Trophy, and it is coming off of the heels of a very argubale Hart Trophy nomination snub.  The first Selke nomination came in 2011, when the award eventually went to Ryan Kessler of the Vancouver Canucks.  Toews is likely nominated for obviously his excellence on the defensive side of the game, as well as his time on the Blackhawks Penalty Killing unit, but most likely for his absolute excellence in the Faceoff circle.  Let’s face it, the best defense is when you eliminate any need for it, at least immediately after the puck drop.

The last Blackhawk to win the Selke Trophy was Centerman, Dirk Graham, back in 1991.  Coincidentally, that was the last season the Hawks won the President’s Trophy, excluding this season, obviously.

Congratulations, Jonathan and hopefully he can bring home the trophy in Vegas, this summer!

Dec 30, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) makes a pass during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Game #6- Detroit Red Wings (2-2-0)  at Chicago Blackhawks (5-0-0)

Game Time- 6:00 pm Central

TV-CSN Chicago or Fox Sports Detroit  Radio –  WGN 720 Chicago  or AM1270 Detroit

The Blackhawks face for the first of four meetings this year their long standing Central Division adversary the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center.  Hockey does not get much better than this.

If that was not enough the Blackhawks are attempting to make history with going for their six win in a row.

Last year the Blackhawks took down the six game series four games to two over Detroit, but each game against the Red Wings always feels epic. These games usually have significant meaning in the standings and this one will be no exception.

Detroit is a different team for sure with the retirements of All Star defenseman and captain Nicklas Lidstrom and also retiring was their star forward Tomas Holmstrom. Obviously those two players are not replaceable but if there is ever a team that can withstand those departures it is Detroit. They arguably have the best center ice core with Zetterburg, Datsyuk, Helm and Abdelkader.

Where Detroit has struggled and maybe a little suspect is on the blue line. Their depth there is not what it has been in the past with the departure of Brad Stuart to San Jose. If there is a weakness on this team this is it especially with injuries mounting as well.

Detroit is coming off an impressive 5-3 win over the very talented Minnesota Wild which could signal Detroit is back to being well Detroit.

The Blackhawks are coming off of a grueling road win over Columbus but somehow they must find their legs to keep with the Red Wings. Much has been made that the Red Wings are getting older, which they are but let us not forget most of them played in Europe during the lockout and are in game shape. There is no solution for experience and craftiness which the Red Wings have always possessed.

If the Hawks are to be successful they must play a solid team defensive game. Playing the Red Wings is like looking in the mirror with all the skill and finesse they have at forward. Chicago has a puck magician in Patrick Kane but Detroit has Pavel Datsyuk. Every time he is on the ice like Kane, you are left with jaws agape wondering how what he did is physically possible.

Look out for the youngster Damien Brunner this kid is going to be a superstar and already has Datsyukian moves as Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky found out in a recent shoot out.

Watching Blackhawks /Red Wings contests is always a treat and this one should be no different. This is a long standing rivalry amoung original six teams that is one of the best in the NHL maybe even in all of sports because of the longevity of the rivalry.

Detroit is rested as they got into Chicago yesterday. You can bet they were watching and taking notes of the Blackhawks’ weaknesses in the Columbus game and they will be ready. They would love nothing more than to hand the Hawks their first defeat of the year and remind the Blackhawks Detroit is still a force to be dealt with.

The Blackhawks now have a huge target on them being undefeated and every team in the NHL will be looking to knock them off. The Hawks must be prepared physically to withstand the crunching.

Jimmy Howard will be in goal for Detroit since their backup Gustavsson is injured. Speaking of injury Detroit is hurting in this area with D men Ian White out with leg injury and Carlo Colaiacovo & Jonathan Ericsson out with shoulder injuries.

If there was ever an opportunity for the Hawks forwards to take advantage this is it. They need to get on Detroit early and maintain pressure in the offensive zone. Get people in front of Howard for some screens or deflections.  If they can accomplish that the Blackhawks will make history.

Prediction – Blackhawks stay perfect and take this one  in OT 4-3 as Marian Hossa does it again.

For instant updates during the game follow us on Twitter @Blackhawk_Up, we are also on Facebook at Blackhawk UP.

Experienced team or Over the hill team? (Andrew Weber-USPRESSWIRE)

#4 Nashville Predators (48-26-8 104 points) vs #5 Detroit Red Wings (48-28-6 102 points)

Season Series

Season Series was Tied 3-3

Series Schedule

4/11 at Nashville

4/13 at Nashville

4/15 at Detroit

4/17 at Detroit

4/20 at Nashville

4/22 at Detroit

4/24 at Nashville

Nashville

Nashville is a boring team with ugly uniforms that plays a system that suffocates if given a lead. They were very active at the trade deadline with many experts saying the moves they made solidified their chances at reaching the Stanley Cup.  They have one of the best power plays in the league with a 21.7% conversion rate which is helped by the fact they have two of the best blue liners in the league in Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. Weber shot from the point is a Canon!! The key to beating the Predators is not letting them score first, they were 34-3-4 when getting they first talley. They will put the defensive choke hold on the game when scoring first. Pekka Rinne had a great season and is the biggest reason that the Predators are able to play their defensive style.

LEADING SCORER- Martin Erat- 19g 39a 58 points

BACKSTOP- Pekka Rinne 43-18-8 1.66 GAA .923 save%

DIFFERENCE MAKER- Alexander Radulov  He may not be the Russian Wayne Gretzky but he does give the Predators a offensive weapon that does have some creativity.

Detroit

This marks the 21st straight season that the Red Wings have made the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and this is only the 3rd time in those 21 years that they have to start their first round series on the road.  Detroit in the past two weeks have been getting all their injured guys back except for Darren Helm. They are anchored by Nicklas Lindstrom and his unlimited supply of Norris trophy’s.  Jimmy Howard was having a very good season until getting hurt, but is now back for the playoffs.  The two keys to the Red Wings beating the Predators will be getting on the scoreboard first and shutting down the Predator power play.  The Red Wings are loaded with Stanley Cup experience, but the question will be are they healthy enough.

LEADING SCORER- Henrik Zetterberg 22g 47a 69 points

BACKSTOP-Jimmy Howard 35-17-4 2.13 GAA .920 save %

DIFFERENCE MAKER- Pavel Datsyuk Now that he is healthy and back in the lineup his offensive ablity against the defensive minded Predators could be the diffence in a long Stanley Cup run for the Red Wings, or a unusual One and done playoffs for the Red Wings.

Ex-Blackhawk factor- Danny Cleary

Prediction Sure to go wrong- Red Wings in 6.  This series could be a proverbial blood bath or an extemely boring series, but Experience wins over the system.

Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

7:00 PM, United Center, Chicago, IL

TV: Comcast Sports Net Chicago

Radio: 720 AM WGN

One of the NHL’s original and best rivalries will be renewed tonight, at the Madhouse, as the Blackhawks take on the Detroit Red Wings.   The last time we saw the Wings in Chicago, on Jan 8th,  they left tied with the Blackhawks for tops in the Western Conference.  A lot has changed since then.  The Red Wings have pulled away from the Hawks and currently have 84 points which is 13 more than the Blackhawks.  The recent hot streak by the Wings paired with the losing streak by Chicago has pretty much ended any shot the Hawks had at winning the Central Division.

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