Oct. 26--The slugfest between the Ducks and Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals last season was about as grueling and draining as a playoff series can get.
A skilled, speed-based team like the Hawks took a licking but kept ticking from the big, physical Ducks in a series that featured several twists and turns before the Hawks prevailed in seven games.
"They were a different beast than playing (the Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final) last year," Andrew Shaw said. "Big, physical, skilled and fast. It was a fun series to be a part of."
The teams will exchange pleasantries again Monday night at the United Center, with both teams undergoing significant changes in the offseason. The Hawks, who have won three straight, have been able to stay above water so far this season despite the exit of several key players from last season, but the Ducks are a different story.
They are 1-5-1 through their first seven games and have only scored six goals over that span. They have been shut out four times this season.
"They're a dangerous team, dangerous in a lot of ways," coach Joel Quenneville said. "Good road team. That series we had with them last year was unbelievably tough and competitive. I'm sure coming in here can recreate that in an instant."
There were no changes to the Hawks' lines in Monday's morning skate. They are:
Viktor Tikhonov-Jonathan Toews-Marian Hossa
Artemi Panarin-Artem Anisimov-Patrick Kane
Teuvo Teravainen-Vincent Hinostroza-Ryan Garbutt
Andrew Desjardins-Marcus Kruger-Shaw
The defensive pairings were:
Svedberg-Seabrook
Hjalmarsson-Trevor van Riemsdyk
Trevor Daley-David Rundblad
Corey Crawford is expected to be in net.
