Chicago Blackhawks: Duncan Keith’s importance vs Edmonton
The Chicago Blackhawks still have Duncan Keith, one of the most important players in a playoff series.
When the Chicago Blackhawks face off against the Edmonton Oilers in a couple of weeks it is going to be something special. Of course, a few things need to happen in order for the National Hockey League’s “return to play” tournament to go but if it does, it will for sure be exciting. Out of all of the “play in” matchups, Chicago vs Edmonton is probably the most intriguing.
Of course, the key to defeating the Oilers is going to be slowing down Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. If that happens, Duncan Keith is surely going to need to be a part of it. He has been a key core piece for this team for a very long time now and has done everything a defenseman would ever want to do in an NHL career.
When it is said that Keith has done everything, he has literally done everything. He is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion, a two time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s best defenseman, two Gold Medals in the Olympics, and a Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs. It has been a special career for Keith as he will walk into the Hall of Fame and go down as one of the best defensemen who ever lived.
All of this is important because the Hawks need him to be at or near his best once the playoffs roll around. Keith has won everything by playing defense the right way in all three zones. He can and will chip in offense but his play in the defensive zone is what makes him so special. In his career, he has a 53.4 percent CorsiFor which means that when he is on the ice the Blackhawks are way more likely to control the puck.
Keith will have to deal with his fair share of McDavid and Draisaitl, especially in games that the Blackhawks are deemed the home team and that is no easy task. Those two are the key difference makers for Edmonton and failing to stop them (or at least contain them) will be bad news for the Blackhawks.
Hot. Chicago needs to be terrified of Connor McDavid. light
It is also equally as important for Keith to be Chicago’s best defenseman in transition. With players like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews leading the rush ahead of him, it is important for Keith to be able to hit them in stride or create breakouts on his own. All in all, Keith’s importance is unparalleled in this series.