3 Reasons Why the Anaheim Ducks Will Defeat the Chicago Blackhawks in Seven Games

April 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman

(47) shoots on goal against the Calgary Flames during the third period in game one of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s get it out of the way: Chicago’s Duncan Keith is the best defenseman playing in the Western Conference Finals.

However, when it comes to taking pressure off of the shoulders of the offense, Anaheim has the best defense in these players.  Five Ducks defenders have tallied five or more points in these players, good for 29 points overall (compared to Chicago’s 22).

It’s no surprise to see that Francois Beauchemin (6 pts.) and Cam Fowler (5 pts.) are lending a helping hand to the offense – those two guys have been around the league for a while, and have combined to play over 120 playoff games over the course of their careers.

The production of Sami Vatanen (2-5-7), Simon Despres (0-5-5) and especially Hampus Lindholm (1-5-6), though, have undoubtedly caught a lot of people off guard.  After all, the ages of these three guys are 23 (Vatanen, Despres) to just 21 (Lindholm) –  playoff babies!

The future of the Ducks’ defensive core has always looked bright, but these kids are showing everyone that they want to prove they are ready to win, now.  With Chicago already down a defenseman (Michal Rozsival is out for the remainder of the playoffs with a broken ankle), I give the Ducks the advantage on defense, especially when it comes to scoring.

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