The 6th seed in the inaugural Ultimate NHL Playoff, the ’12-’13 Chicago Blackhawks.

• Bryan Bickell (LW)
  • 14 GP   3 G   5 A   8 P   +4   30 S   2 GWG   2 PIM   1 Stars
• Dave Bolland (C)
  • 15 GP   1 G   2 A   3 P   +1   19 S   1 GWG   4 PIM   1 Stars
• Sheldon Brookbank (D)
  • 13 GP   0 G   0 A   0 P   -1   0 S   0 GWG   0 PIM   0 Stars
• Corey Crawford (G)
  • 15 GP   9-5-1   2.07 GAA   .922 SV%   4 SO*   16 Stars
• Michael Frolik (RW)
  • 15 GP   0 G   0 A   0 P   +1   31 S   0 GWG   0 PIM   0 Stars
• Michal Handzus (C)
  • 15 GP   0 G   0 A   0 P   -3   12 S   0 GWG   2 PIM   0 Stars
• Niklas Hjalmarsson (D)
  • 15 GP   1 G   3 A   4 P   +3   12 S   0 GWG   2 PIM   0 Stars
• Marian Hossa (RW)
  • 15 GP   7 G   1 A   8 P   +2   43 S   0 GWG   0 PIM   7 Stars
• Patrick Kane (RW)
  • 15 GP   4 G   12 A   16 P   +2   63 S   0 GWG   2 PIM   2 Stars
• Duncan Keith (D)
  • 15 GP   0 G   7A   7 P   -2   15 S   0 GWG   0 PIM   2 Stars
• Marcus Kruger (C)
  • 15 GP   0 G   2 A   2 P   -3   18 S   0 GWG   0 PIM   0 Stars
• Nick Leddy (D)
  • 15 GP   1 G   3 A   4 P   +5   19 S   1 GWG   2 PIM   1 Stars
• Johnny Oduya (D)
  • 15 GP   0 G   5 A   5 P   +4   4 S   0 GWG   0 PIM   0 Stars
• Michal Rozsival (D)
  • 15 GP   0 G   5 A   5 P   +3   8 S   0 GWG   4 PIM   0 Stars
• Brandon Saad (LW)
  • 15 GP   6 G   8 A   14 P   +7   29 S   0 GWG   2 PIM   9 Stars
• Brent Seabrook (D)
  • 15 GP   1 G   3 A   4 P   -5   11 S   0 GWG   6 PIM   0 Stars
• Patrick Sharp (LW)
  • 15 GP   2 G   1 A   3 P   -3   29 S   1 GWG   0 PIM   1 Stars
• Andrew Shaw (C)
  • 15 GP   3 G   4 A   7 P   Even   20 S   1 GWG   4 PIM   1 Stars
• Viktor Stalberg (LW)
  • 15 GP   2 G   0 A   2 P   +1   40 S   1 GWG   4 PIM   0 Stars
• Jonathan Toews (C)
  • 15 GP   9 G   9 A   18 P   +4   64 S   2 GWG   4 PIM   11 Stars

Bold – Team Best

* – Tournament Best

Team Stats:

• Record: 9-5-1
• Goals Scored: 40
• Goals/Game: 2.67
• Goals Allowed: 31
• Goals Allowed/Game: 2.07
• Shots: 468
• Shots Allowed: 397
• Shots/Game: 31.2
• Shots Allowed/Game: 26.5
• # of PP’s: 30
• PPG’s: 6
• PP%: 20.0%
• TSH: 12
• PPGA: 1
• PK%: 91.7%
• Penalties in minutes: 30

The current core of the Chicago Blackhawks is vying for a chance to be the first dynasty of the 21st century. The ’12-’13 season was the second Stanley Cup for the Blackhawks in four years. They needed some miraculous goaltending to survive until they were eventually eliminated by the runners up.

1st Round:

Bye

2nd Round:

Swept 27th-seeded ’79-’80 Minnesota North Stars, 4-0

3rd Round:

Defeated 11th-seeded ’96-’97 New Jersey Devils, 4-2

Quarterfinals:

Lost to 19th-seeded ’88-’89 Calgary Flames, 4-1

The lockout shortened regular season went pretty well for the ’12-’13 Chicago Blackhawks. They posted a record of 36-7-5 in 48 games, which was good for 77 points and 1st in the Central Division. Under head coach Joel Quenneville, the Blackhawks finished 1st in the league in goals against and 2nd in the league in goals for, BUT I would just like to say that they were 28th out of 30 in strength of schedule. The Hawks started out in the playoffs by dispatching of growing rival the Minnesota Wild in five games. In the Conference Semifinals, they got a tough fight from the Detroit Red Wings but was able to survive in seven games. Then, in the Conference Finals, they took care of the Los Angeles Kings in five games. Finally, in the Stanley Cup Final, they defeated the Boston Bruins in six games.

The ’12-’13 Blackhawks had the best goaltending in the league during the lockout shortened regular season. Crawford and Emery both posted sub-2.00 goals against averages and save percentages over .920%. The Blackhawks offense was fairly balanced after the their twins. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were tied for the team lead in goals (23). Kane led the team in assists (32) and points (55). Toews finished second on the team in points (48). Marian Hossa was third on the team in goals (17) and points (31). Defenseman Duncan Keith had yet another stellar season and finished third on the team in assists (24). Together, Crawford and Emery won the William M. Jennings Trophy for the fewest goals against in the league. Toews also was an award winner as he won the Frank J. Selke Trophy. Kane then won the Conn Smythe Trophy for his performance in the playoffs.

Up next is the #7 seed, the ’25-’26 Ottawa Senators!