3 Reasons Why: Chicago will defeat Dallas

The Chicago Blackhawks and the Dallas Stars are set to do battle in Round 1 of the Gretzky Conference Quarterfinals. It all begins this Sunday with the Stars hosting the Hawks at American Airlines Center.

Here are 3 Reasons Why the Blackhawks will defeat the Stars, along with 3 Reasons Why Dallas will end up advancing past Chicago.
 

3 REASONS WHY: CHICAGO DEFEATS DALLAS

Reason 1: Chicago presents a matchup problem for Dallas

Not that the regular season means much of anything at this point, but Chicago was one of only a small handful of teams to beat Dallas twice this season. Both teams claimed two wins in their four-game regular-season series, with the final victory (a 4-3 shootout win) coming after the trade deadline.

With the playoff reset now here, Chicago's lineup poses some potential matchup issues for the loaded Stars. If the Hawks' "checking line" of Nino Niederreiter, Nick Bonino, and Richard Panik manages to establish their two-way game, they may be able to contain the ridiculous depth of the Stars. The bottom 6 for Chicago is going to be huge as there is no competing with Dallas' firepower - on paper anyway. That means Ryan Carpenter, Magnus Paajarvi, and Ryan Reaves will be counted on for minutes that count.

Defensively, the paring of Jack Johnson and Johnny Boychuk has found a particular groove against Dallas. They are a combined +5 with 25 hits in their four regular-season games, contributing two goals and three assists together. If the top pairing of Ryan Ellis and Cody Ceci truly hit their stride, Chicago will ride their top-four defensemen to relative success.

Reason 2: Chicago plays better on the road

Up until the last stretch of ten or so games, the Hawks were rolling on the road. They still finished with a 23-14-4 away record despite going 4-5-1 in their last ten overall contests.

Opening the series in a lion's den like Dallas, on the surface, wouldn't seem like it presents a problem. If Chicago can weather the storm of the opening period in Game 1, establish their forecheck and contain (within reason) the arsenal at the Stars' command, Chicago stands a good shot of coming away with at least a split of the first two games on the road. If they can somehow win both games, the Blackhawks need just two wins at home to seal the deal.

Reason 3: The pressure of the President's Trophy

Look, there's little doubt Dallas has amassed the best team ever put on the ice in the EHE. 63 regular-season wins is a mark that likely isn't going to be replicated any time soon, if ever. They've scored 4.3 goals per game and given up just 2.5 per game. But if history is any indication, winning the top regular-season prize is either feast or famine when it comes to postseason success.

2014-15 winner: Calgary Flames - lost in Conference Semifinals
2015-16 winner: Ottawa Senators - lost in First Round (swept)
2016-17 winner: Boston Bruins - lost in First Round (5 games)
2017-18 winner: Colorado Avalanche - won Stanley Cup
2018-19 winner: Detroit Red Wings - won Stanley Cup

If Chicago can channel some 2016 or 2017 playoff mojo, they just might be able to pull off the big upset.
 

3 REASONS WHY: DALLAS DEFEATS CHICAGO

Reason 1: Dallas has overwhelming firepower that no team can handle

So a few teams managed to get some victories over the Stars in the regular season. No team is ever going to go 82-0. But did anyone really dominate the Stars at any point, in any game? Go look if you want to, but I sincerely doubt it.

Dallas is the best regular-season team in EHE history. There's no reason why they shouldn't also be the best playoff team in EHE history. Not only should they win the Stanley Cup, they very well may win it in dominating fashion the likes of which we've never seen before.

Chicago is a wild-card team and struggled coming into the end of the season. The teams did split the season series, but this is the second season. On paper, this matchup isn't even close in terms of overall talent. If Dallas just plays to their ability, this could be a bloodbath.

Reason 2: Carey Price could win this series almost by himself

What gets lost in all of the flash and dash regarding Dallas' season thus far is the play of Carey Price. Price played in an incredible 72 games for the Stars, easily leading the league with 55 wins. That along with his 2.35 GAA and .919 save percentage makes it a virtual lock that Price will earn a Vezina trophy for his efforts.

If Dallas can't get the offense clicking like they should, Price and the quick-fast defense could still put the kibosh on the Blackhawks. This isn't just an offensive dynamo - the Stars got the goods on the backend, too.

Reason 3: Destiny

Ask any EHE general manager when not near a microphone, and most would tell you that they've been operating almost as if Dallas winning the Stanley Cup this season was a foregone conclusion. Even before the season began, the team that GM Dan Bacon assembled turned almost every head. If the GM of the Year Award isn't his, it's only because it hasn't been awarded yet.

To be derailed on the Stars' singular mission to win the Stanley Cup in the first round seems...unlikely. There has never been a team so seemingly destined to win in the six-year history of the EHE. If the hockey gods are in agreement, there may be no stopping this juggernaut. And that means a victory over Chicago is just the first step of four.