# 1 San Jose versus #8 Colorado
Once again San Jose has a #1 seed, and once again, they’ll be feeling the pressure to finally get the job done. Year after year they become their own worst enemy. The Sharks are red hot coming into the playoffs and face an Avalanche team that is very young. Avs goalie Craig Anderson got some rest in the last few games, and he’ll need it. The Sharks are a potent offensive team. I like the Sharks to move on to the 2nd round. Sharks in 6
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#2 Chicago versus #7 Nashville
The Chicago Blackhawks may be the best team in the West, but injuries have really taken its toll on them. They’re #1 D-Man Brian Campbell, has been out for over a month after a bone crushing hit by Alexander Ovechkin. He may play in this series and would be a HUGE addition. The Preds are a scrappy team that doesn’t do anything special, but they do grind out wins. Especially at home. Based on nothing at all, I’ll take a flier on the Preds in 7
#3 Vancouver versus #6 Los Angeles
The LA Kings are my sleeper team to make serious noise in these playoffs. They are a real young, loose group of guys who can put the puck in the net. I know they are facing a very good defensive team in the Canucks, but I am not sold on goalie Roberto Luongo. He’s never really shown up in the playoffs and I don’t see how it will change this year. Statistically speaking, this has been his worst season since coming to Vancouver. I expect these to be tight games, and I just love this Kings team. Kings in 7
#4 Phoenix versus #5 Detroit
The Detroit Red Wings come into the playoffs like a steam roller. Since the Olympic break, they have a 16-3-2 record. This year marks their incredible 19th season in a row of making the playoffs. That’s the longest postseason streak in the four major sports. The Coyotes have been no slouch since the break either. They posted a 13-4-2 record. The ‘Yotes were not expected to turn it around this early in their rebuilding project, but the acquisition of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov 2 seasons ago, has really transformed this team into a stellar defensive team. I think the experience of the Wings will win over youth of the “Yotes in this series. Red Wings in 6
