Mar 5, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Dave Bolland (36) moves the puck past Minnesota Wild defenseman Tom Gilbert (77) during the third period at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Minnesota Wild 5-3. The Blackhawks set an NHL record for scoring at least one point in 23 consecutive games to open a season. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Wild played the Chicago Blackhawks three times this season, posting a 1-2-0 record against the best team in the NHL. However, the series was much closer than the record suggests, and the Wild may prove to be a difficult opponent for the heavily favored Blackhawks.

For more on Chicago and what they’ll have to do to defeat your Minnesota Wild, Gone Puck Wild sat down with Keith Schultz, Editor of FanSided’s Blackhawk Up.

GPW - Which player will be counted upon to lead Chicago past Minnesota?

KS – Absolutely the captain. He has set the tone since drafted, and he will continue to be the example for the team. Remember, he was the guy running practice during the lockout, he’s pure excellence.

GPW - How crucial are youngsters like Brandon Saad, Nick Leddy and Andrew Shaw to the Blackhawks’ success?

KS – All the youngsters have played a pivotal role in this team’s success. Leddy has filled the hole of puck moving defenseman nicely. Shaw has been relentless on and off the puck, and Saad has just an amazing skill set. These youngsters have given the hawks stars more time and space by giving teams something to always worry about, so now you can’t leave anyone open just to double team Toews/Kane.

GPW - Will the stellar goaltending of Corey Crawford and Ray Emery continue as Chicago looks to be the heavy favorite for their second Stanley Cup in four years?

KS – With Emery injured it falls on “Crow”, and that can potentially be disastrous. If Crow can get off to a good start in games one and two, then we should have nothing to worry about. If he lets in a few bad softies, we could be in trouble if Emery isn’t healthy enough to play.

GPW - Which Minnesota Wild player scares you the most going into this playoff series?

KS – Zach Parise. He led the Devils to within 2 games of the Stanley Cup last season. A playoff tested player is very dangerous, and Parise is a very good offensive weapon. He could single-handedly take leadership of this team.

GPW - What is Chicago going to have to do to shut down Minnesota’s offense and solve the Wild defense?

KS – Chicago won’t have to do much different. They have played a mainly consistent game, with great success, which is their balanced team game. The biggest change hawks usually make is zone entry, dump and chase or skate it in. Don’t see that changing much. Chicago needs to use all four lines to wear out the defense and maintain maximum puck possession to overwhelm the Wild with offense of their own.

GPW - Any series predictions?

KS – Blackhawks in 5. The Blackhawks will be ready to prove themselves after the past few early playoff exits and they’ll show off everything they’ve got. Unfortunately for Minnesota, the Wild won’t be able to keep up.

Gone Puck Wild would like to thank Blackhawk Up and Keith Schultz for taking the time to answer a few questions. To read Blackhawk Up’s interview with GPW Editor Dakota Case, click here.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@FSGonePuckWild) and give us a “like” on Facebook!

Apr 9, 2013; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle (63) defends Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews (19) during the third period at the Xcel Energy Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

It’s almost play-off time for the Minnesota Wild. This is the first of 4 posts I’ll be writing in the lead-up to Game 1.

After locking-up the 8^th seed in the Western Conference, the Wild now have the prospect of taking on the fearsome President’s Trophy champions; the Chicago Blackhawks. Most fans probably know all about their stars, such as Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith, and a bit about some of their other notables like Nick Leddy, Brent Seabrook, Dave Bolland and Corey Crawford, but today I’m gonna take a look at 5 players who fly slightly under-the-radar, and who probably aren’t the first names that come to the heads of opposition fans when thinking about the Chicago Blackhawks.

Brandon Saad

Mar 16, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad (20) skates in the Dallas Stars zone during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Stars 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Saad is the Blackhawks’ seriously impressive, 20-year-old, rookie phenom. He has done everything fans could have expected, and then some. Playing LW on the top line with Hossa and Toews, Saad has never looked out-of-place and has quickly become a fan favourite. His play is similar to Hossa’s, as he is physical, relentless but also highly skilled with great skating and shooting ability.

Niklas Hjalmarsson

Mar 16, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) warms up before the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Stars 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

What’s that horrible sound? Oh, it’s just Anthony Lapanta stumbling over the pronounciation of “Hjalmarsson”. It’s hard to believe that at the back-end of last year, the consensus amongst Blackhawks fans seemed to be that he would probably be traded as he has not lived up to expectation. This year he has come back with a vengeance and had a very impressive season alongside Johnny Oduya on the 2^nd pair. “Hjammar” (as he is called) is a stay-at-home defenceman who reads the game well and can play with a lot of physicality.

Viktor Stalberg

Apr 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Viktor Stalberg (25) moves the puck forward against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Stalberg is a fast, powerful winger who is an absolute demon on the forecheck. He seems to be highly underrated by a lot of Blackhawks fans, but loved by the “hardcore” for his work rate. He is something of a folk-hero, and subject of the best hash-tag on Twitter: #StalbergPorn.

For me, Stalberg is the kind of guy that will give overly hasty, unskilled defencemen like Clayton Stoner and Justin Falk fits during this series.

Andrew Shaw

Apr 27, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw (65) looks to pass against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Blackhawks 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

Wild fans are gonna be very familiar with Shaw by the end of this series, and most likely will hate his guts. He is 21 and a prototypical pest who plays with energy and physicality, constantly harassing the opposition. He will throw his body around and is willing to drop the gloves. He is also skilled and knows where the net is. Expect to see him on the 3^rd line.

This guy is gonna get under your skin for sure:

10/10, great effort.

Marcus Kruger

Apr 4, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Marcus Kruger (16) moves the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Kruger is a 23-year-old 5^th round pick from Sweden. He is a smart 2-way center and a skilled playmaker, quite comparable with former Wild prospect Johan Larsson. Kruger has taken another big step in his career this year, increasing his playing time and taking a bigger role in the team. He has the potential to develop into a good top 6 center but will most likely be centering the 4^th in this series.

Here are some of their stats from this season:

I’ll be back tomorrow with another post. Until then, continue celebrating and remember: PLAY-OFFS!