Here's a tip for any NHL team trying to build a successful roster: Start with two of the best two-way forwards in the League. Obviously that's not easy to do, but Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg remain world-class players and create matchup problems for opposing coaches, because while many teams don't want their top forwards trying to shut down opposing top players, these two thrive at it and still produce offensively.

Justin Abdelkader typically plays with them and adds a big body and the ability to win battles and get to the net. The second line, which featured Johan Franzen, Valtteri Filppula and Daniel Cleary, scuffled at times in the first round, but the young third line has been something of a revelation.

Coach Mike Babcock said the Red Wings couldn't beat a team like the Anaheim Ducks earlier in the season, but the maturation of Gustav Nyquist, Joakim Andersson and Damien Brunner made it possible. The fourth line is a mixture of veterans (Todd Bertuzzi, Mikael Samuelsson), and energy players Patrick Eaves, Cory Emmerton and Jordin Tootoo.

Corey Crawford and Ray Emery posted nearly identical regular-season statistics, but the question of who to start in the playoffs became moot when Emery sustained a lower-body injury.

Crawford, knowing he was the clear-cut No. 1 with no need to look over his shoulder if he let up a shaky goal, turned in the dominant type of performance the Blackhawks had been hoping for since he supplanted Antti Niemi as the starter following the 2010 Cup triumph. Crawford allowed seven goals in five games while standing tall in overtime periods in Games 1 and 4.

Emery seems likely to dress at some point in the second round, but it will be as Crawford's backup. The Blackhawks will be even stronger once they know they have Emery as an option.

The Blackhawks can't get any better than their 100-percent first-round success rate on the penalty kill. The power play, on the other hand, remains a concern. Chicago was 19th during the regular season at 16.7 percent, and went 2-for-13 in the first round to rank 11th among 16 playoff teams. This is an area where it would do wonders if Toews or Kane could pick up a couple goals.

Jonathan Toews: Toews is about one thing: winning. He'll gladly take another series of meager offensive numbers if it means Chicago can advance to the Western Conference Finals. But the 25-year-old center traditionally is a point-per-game threat who won the Conn Smythe in 2010 with 29 points in the Blackhawks' championship run. They become that much bigger of a threat to win another title if Toews finds the form that many feel should have made him a Hart Trophy candidate this season.

Valtteri Filppula: Filppula had one assist in the first five games against Anaheim, and though he added a second in Game 6, he also had a horrific turnover behind his net that started the Ducks' comeback. He had a strong Game 7 -- and now has six career points in Game 7s -- but the Red Wings will need a strong effort from him against the Blackhawks. It is one spot among the forwards where Detroit could have an advantage if its No. 2 center outplays Chicago's.

Blackhawks will win if … Corey Crawford continues to play like an elite netminder and they continue to get contributions from all four lines. Staying healthy also is a big factor. The Blackhawks basically were at full strength in the first round, with the exceptions of backup goalie Emery and center Dave Bolland, who is ready to go and will reclaim his spot in the lineup.

Red Wings will win if … Their young defensemen limit mistakes in the face of serious pressure, and Howard is great in goal. If those things happen, Detroit's forwards can play with Chicago's and the Red Wings could spring the upset against a team that could get bogged down by expectations.