STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS: Two of UND's all-time greats to face off

661216+SPORTS_HKN-BLUES-BHAWKS_23_TB.jpg — The Chicago Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews celebrates a goal by teammate Bryan Bickell's against the St. Louis Blues in the first period of Game 6 of the NHL Western Conference quarterfinals at United Center in Chicago, Sunday, April 27, 2014. The Blackhawks defeated the Blues, 5-1. (Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune/MCT)

By Brad Elliott Schlossman

May 01, 2014 at 10:03 PM

Two of UND’s all-time greats will be going head-to-head in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Again.

For the second year in a row, Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks will meet up against Zach Parise and the Minnesota Wild in a best-of-seven, Western Conference series.

Last year, Toews and the Blackhawks knocked the Wild out in the first round, winning the series 4-1. This time, the teams will meet in the Western Conference semifinals, beginning tonight in Chicago’s United Center (8:30 p.m., NBC Sports).

Both players figure to be key for their teams.

Toews, the captain of the Blackhawks, led his team in scoring during the first round with three goals (all game-winners) and seven points as Chicago rallied from a 2-0 series deficit to beat St. Louis.

Parise, the alternate captain of the Wild, led his team in scoring during the first round with three goals and 10 points as Minnesota rallied from a 2-0 series deficit to beat Colorado. Parise is tied for the scoring lead in the entire NHL playoffs.

The first playoff matchup between the two was one-sided in favor of the Blackhawks, who went on to win their second Stanley Cup in four years.

But Parise and Toews – often times matched up head-to-head – canceled each other out and Chicago’s depth is what hurt the Wild the most.

This season, the Wild are getting a lot more production from around the lineup than last, but expected Parise to be at the forefront if the Wild are to make it a tight series.

Parise had 10 points against the Avalanche in Round 1, including a four-point night in Game 6. He tallied points in six of the seven games in the series. Toews was similarly reliable for the Hawks, tallying points in five of Chicago’s six games against the Blues.

There are a lot of similarities between the two. They both played prep hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, Minn. They both played two years at UND in Ralph Engelstad Arena. They both have gone on to star careers in the NHL. Both have been captains of teams. Both have played in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Right now, Toews is the only one to win a Cup.

For Parise to join the club, he’ll need to go through him.

661217+2014-04-08T000248Z_151921068_NOCID_RTRMADP_3_NHL-MINNESOTA-WILD-AT-WINNIPEG-JETS.JPG — Apr 7, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise (11) prior to the game against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

By Brad Elliott Schlossman

Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald's circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year once. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS: Two of UND's all-time greats to face off

Two of UND's all-time greats will be going head-to-head in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Again. For the second year in a row, Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks will meet up against Zach Parise and the Minnesota Wild in a best-of-seven, Wester...