The uncertainty surrounding the Blackhawks' goaltending _ Corey Crawford has been deemed "unfit to play" since camp convened July 13 _ likely puts more pressure on the offense in their playoff series against Edmonton.
The Oilers' firepower justifiably gets top billing in this matchup, with Leon Draisatl and Connor McDavid having finished one-two in the NHL in scoring this season.
How will the Hawks hope to counter? With Conn Smythe winners Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, for starters. Duncan Keith and Brandon Saad's playoff resumes also stand out.
Zeroing in on Saad, he's one of the Hawks' best two-way players and has put a midseason ankle injury in the rear-view mirror. His game is a blueprint for younger players to contribute even when they're not scoring.
"He's able to protect the puck up ice," coach Jeremy Colliton said. "He's able to get you from the defensive zone to the offensive zone and carry someone on his back. He's a playoff-type player, so we know in the past his game has transferred very well to these types of situations."
Veteran defenseman Brent Seabrook has been clutch in the postseason, too, but it's unclear whether he will be healthy enough to play coming off a number of surgeries.
Beyond that, the Hawks must rely on players with no playoff experience when the puck drops Aug. 1. Here are five who must help shoulder the load if they're to make a deep postseason run.
