snowywolfowl | So, as promised, here are my picks for round one for the Western Conference (Reply)

1. Vancouver Canucks vs. 8. Chicago Blackhawks. This matchup features this year's top regular season team vs last year's Stanley Cup winner. This could be Vancouver's biggest challenge since the Blackhawks seem to be a giant mental block for them in the playoffs. However, Chicago isn't nearly the same team they were last year. While they managed to keep the core intact they lost many key depth players to the salary cap while Vancouver just seemed to fine tune an already impressive lineup. I'm not saying this is a case of one team's star falling while the other rises but Vancouver seems to have more depth throughout the lineup. My decision? Canucks in six games.

2. San Jose Sharks vs. 7. Los Angeles Kings. The Sharks have been much maligned in recent years for wilting under playoff pressure, while Los Angeles is starting to reap the benefits of a lengthy rebuild. Unfortunately LA has some key injury problems while the Sharks appear to be more or less intact. LA is the team to keep one's eye on here but in the end its the Sharks who go through. San Jose in five.

3. Detroit Red Wings vs. 6. Phoenix Coyotes. This is one of those series I just can't get excited for. Why is the NHL throwing its money away in the desert again? Oh, wait, its going to be tax payer money. Fortunately the Red Wings, led by ageless wonder Nik Lidstrom, should be able to advance and put the Coyotes out of the playoffs (assuming of course that they get the goaltending). I just wish the same could be said for the NHL putting this franchise out of its misery. Red Wings in 6.

4. Anaheim Ducks vs 5. Nashville Predators. The Predators made some decent trades down the stretch to help them out, while Anaheim (and more specifically Corey Perry) got hot. Assuming Perry and his supporting cast can keep lighting the lamp scoring should be no problem but can Anaheim's goaltenders keep themselves physically intact? An injury to either Ray Emery or Jonas Hiller would be catastrophic. My pick? Nashville in seven games.

So there you have them. Let the games begin!