There aren't many ex-Blackhawks left in the final four, but there is a good chance a former player hoists the Stanley Cup this year.
There aren't many ex-Blackhawks left in the final four, but there is a good chance a former player hoists the Stanley Cup this year.
After the second round of the 2024 NHL playoffs concluded, the number of former Blackhawks skating in the postseason went from eight to four. Of the teams remaining, there is one without a player who previously played for Chicago in his career, and that's the Dallas Stars.
It just so happens that at this point, the Stars have the highest chance at making it to the Stanley Cup Final leading their series against the Edmonton Oilers 2-1. The other series, between the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers, is tied at 2-2.
Of the former Hawks remaining, two are playing great hockey. The other two aren't very noticeable.
Artemi Panarin has scored some big goals for the Rangers and is second on his team in points in the playoffs. Gustav Forsling, the other impactful ex-Blackhawk remaining in the playoffs, is still playing stellar hockey for the Panthers on defense.
The two players that aren't making much of an impact are Erik Gustafsson on the Rangers and Corey Perry for the Oilers.
Not-So-Hot Playoff Performers
Perry has been a healthy scratch since Game 7 of the second round and he may not get back in the lineup now that Adam Henrique has returned and playing well and Sam Carrick has come in and boosted the fourth line.
There were reports, however, that Perry could play in Game 4 against Dallas on Wednesday night in Edmonton. We'll have coverage if he does.
The 39-year-old Perry has gone scoreless in 10 postseason games this season. It appeared like he could be more of a veteran difference-maker for the Oilers when he was picked up mid-season after the Blackhawks terminated his contract on Nov. 28 for violating team policies. Chicago coach Luke Richardson talked about it in the following video.
Gustafsson is a third-pairing defenseman on the Rangers, so a big impact from him wasn't expected. He actually broke into the NHL with the Blackhawks and had his most dominating season of his career in 2018-19, producing 17 goals and 60 points in 79 games.
He was in an offensive role to succeed last season with the Washington Capitals and again at times this season with the Rangers. But in the playoffs, Gustafsson's defensive liabilities may be too great.
The Rangers' power play has gone cold in Round 3, finishing less than 10% on the man advantage. Top New York D-man Adam Fox is healthy, so Gustafsson will only get a small amount of power-play time on the second unit. He has three assists in 14 games and is playing less than 18 minutes per night.
Panarin and Forsling Still Dominating
Panarin has three assists in four games in the third round, but didn't play a whole lot in the Game 3 overtime loss to the Panthers despite assisting on both goals the Rangers scored. He is still a point-per-game player in the playoffs with four goals and 14 points in 14 games.
Panarin's underlying numbers have been slightly above average and he's been on the ice for 11 goals for and 10 against at 5-on-5 in the playoffs. The Rangers are getting more shot attempts, but fewer shots when he's on the ice as well as more high danger and scoring chances, but executing less. Panarin has to really show up every game considering he is one of the players the Rangers lean on.
Forsling on the other hand has shown up every single game and always plays against the best opponents. He has been on the ice for 13 goals for and 10 against, but in every aspect of the game he's contributing to limiting chances compared to what the Panthers are getting. Forsling also has four goals and 10 points in 15 games and is Florida's No. 1 defenseman.
I'm betting many Blackhawks fans are hoping the Rangers win the Stanley Cup this season. The most former Chicago players are on New York and neither left by choice.
The Panthers are probably second to the Rangers.
With no former player on the Stars, as well as how it ended in Chicago with Perry, there's not much love in the West from Hawks fans. There's a 75% chance a former Blackhawk (or two) hoists the Stanley Cup this year and some deserve it.
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