On to the Wild West Coast we go...
#1 San Jose Sharks vs. #8 Colorado Avalanche
Let us all hope for San Jose’s sake, that the acquisition of Dany Heatley can help them from falling out of the first round as they have in previous years. Hopefully, the three-headed monster of a line in Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton, and Patrick Marleau can provide a scoring touch for a team in dire need of progressing through the Western Conference. This trio was clutch in the Olympics for Team Canada, and hopefully for Sharks fans this can lead to some playoff success.
Alternatively, the Avs come back from a short hiatus from the playoffs sporting a young and hungry team lead by Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny. Clutch goaltending will be a key proponent to the series, as we have seen Nabokov struggle in net for the Sharks during the playoffs. Craig Anderson has been a great pickup for the Avs after signing in the offseason. Anderson comes up big when it counts and may be an X-factor in the series.
Hopefully, the trio of Canadians can bring some excitement to the HP Pavilion. The Pepsi Center is always wild during the playoffs, so get your tickets now at FanXchange.com
Prediction: Sharks in 7
#2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. #7 Nashville Predators
Can the young Hawks take the success of their regular season into the playoffs? The young squad has a ton of scoring power and boasts three great lines. They are a very talented team that has both offence and defence. Furthermore, they boast some of Canada’s greatest contributors in the Olympics: Toews, Keith, and Seabrook. Nashville really lacks the scoring power to keep up with the young Hawks. The only thing that the Preds may rely on is strong goaltending from Pekka Rinne and the blasting shot of Shea Weber.
In the past few years the Hawks have been packing the United Center, and the atmosphere has become raucous! Show your support in Chi-town and the city better known for Country music than hockey.
Prediction: Hawks in 5
#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #6 Los Angeles Kings
Let’s get back on the bandwagon...For the 1st time since Gretzky left town in the late 1990’s Kings fans are showing up at the Staples Center. Why? Well, they are an exciting young team led by Drew Doughty, who has been compared to among others...Bobby Orr.
The Canucks on the other hand have been in the playoffs recently but have not had much success due to lack of toughness. Hopefully, the Canucks can depend on stellar goaltending from Bobby-Lu and the scoring prowess of the Sedin twins.
The Canucks provide Canada’s best chance at success in these playoffs, so as a patriot I hope that they have some playoff success.
There is no doubt in my mind that GM Place will be rocking again, as it was during the Olympics. Get your tickets now, before they are all gone!
Prediction: Canucks in 6
#4 Phoenix Coyotes vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings
The Wings did not start the season off too well due to a great deal of injuries. However, since the Olympic break the Wings have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL, and are looking to continue their success into the postseason. While they are the lower seed, the Wings look to be the favourite, as the Coyotes have not been in the Playoffs since 2002.
Things are looking up for the Coyotes franchise, as they have a new “lease” on life so to speak. Tickets have been selling at a much greater pace with the team’s success leading into the playoffs. No doubt, those that have not came out to Coyotes games in the past will be there to see the Red Wings who tend to be a popular opponent in the Glendale arena.
Joe Louis Arena in Detroit is Hockeytown USA! This arena is one of the best places to see an NHL game and gets even crazier during the playoffs.
The big question in this series is who will be better; Ilya Bryzgalov or Detroit’s Swedish scorers?
Prediction: Detroit in 7
The Wild West boasts some very exciting matchups...GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
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