NHL Playoff Preview Western Conference

1st San Jose Sharks vs. 8th Anaheim Ducks
San Jose was drew one tough 8th seed in Anaheim and their amazing defensemen. With Beauchemin back from injury along with Pronger, Niedermeyer, and Whitney they easily have the best D corps in the league and they will need it against Thornton, Marleau&Co. This is going to be a tough hard fought series and it can go either way and may be won by San Jose being so good at home and I think they squeak by just barely.
San Jose in 7

2nd Detroit Red Wings vs. 7th Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus enters its first postseason against the Detroit and they couldnt ask for a worse opponent. This series depends on the rookie Steve Mason stopping the Detroit scoring attack led by Pavel Datsyuk and his sidekicks Marion Hossa and Henrik Zetterberg and anchored on defense by the best in the league in Nicklas Lidstrom. I just dont think the Jackets are good enough to beat this Detroit team that makes up its lack of goaltending with its ability to outscore anyone.
Detroit in 4

3rd Vancouver Canucks vs. 6th St. Louis Blues
The best 2 teams in the second half of the season square off in an extremely even series. Luongo and the Sedin twins will win this series over the inexperienced Blues but it wont be easy. Chris Mason has played some amazing goal as of late and has really kept this team in it. They just dont have enough to beat Luongo and the twins.
Vancouver in 6

4th Chicago Blackhawks vs. 5th Calgary Flames
This series will be one thing, high scoring. Toews and Kane, two of my favorite players to watch because they are so young but play like they've been in the league for so long and do it so well. They embark on their first playoff stint against a flat looking Calgary team that doesnt look as good as they did a couple months ago. These two teams combined have 11 20 goal scorers so there is no doubt they will score but can Kiprusoff stop the young guns of Chicago and can the Bulin wall stand up against the veteran experience of Olli Jokinen and Jarome Iginla? I think that the Blackhawks will keep playing amazing hockey and get put out the Flames.
Chicago in 5

http://www.omalleyandgoldstein.com/