Western Conference First Round Matchups
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The Western Conference playoff pairings have been set and they are not without their intrigue. There are two Cinderella stories in the Western Conference, both capable of pulling the improbable upset.
(1) San Jose (51-20-11, 113 pts) vs. (8) Colorado (43-30-9, 95 pts)
Regular season series (Series tied 2-2)
Oct 1, 2009 San Jose 2, Colorado 5
Oct 30, 2009 Colorado 1, San Jose 3
Mar 28, 2010 Colorado 3, San Jose 4
Apr 4, 2010 San Jose 4, Colorado 5
This is a matchup between a team that is supposed to be there and one that was supposed to be golfing already. The San Jose Sharks will be looking to shake their struggles of playoffs past while the Avs are looking to continue their magical season.
The Sharks went an impressive 8-1-1 in their last 10 games while the Avalanche stumbled down the stretch with a 3-5-2 record.
On paper and in the minds of most hockey fans, this is a mismatch.
The Sharks were the best team in the West again and with the experience that they added in the off season (Rob Blake and Dany Heatley), the Sharks appear to be a different team. Joe Thornton finally proved that he can contribute on a big stage in the Olympics but Evgeni Nabokov proved disappointing on that same stage.
The Avs faded down the stretch and the clock may have struck midnight on this team.
Pick: San Jose Sharks in 5
(2) Chicago (52-22-8, 112 pts) vs. (7) Nashville (47-29-6, 100 pts)
Regular season series (Blackhawks lead 4-2)
Oct 15, 2009 Chicago 3, Nashville 1
Oct 24, 2009 Nashville 0, Chicago 2
Oct 29, 2009 Chicago 0, Nashville 2
ec 4, 2009 Nashville 4, Chicago 1
Dec 26, 2009 Chicago 4, Nashville 1
Dec 27, 2009 Nashville 4, Chicago 5
This series is a classic flash vs. style matchup. While Chicago has a ton of talent on their roster, the Predators have a team made up of relative no names.
Will system or skill prevail? Chicago was 6-3-1 in their last 10 games while the Predators went 6-3-1 as well.
The Chicago Blackhawks will have to win this series or an impressive season will be a disappointment.
They definitely have the edge in speed, skill and offensive fire power but they cannot take the defensive minded Preds for granted. Nashville won as many games on the road as they did at home this season and are dangerous are a scary first round opponent.
If goaltender Pekka Rinne can steal a game or two, it could be a long series. However, youth and skill will prevail.
Pick: Chicago Blackhawks in 6
(3) Vancouver (49-28-5, 103 pts) vs. (6) Los Angeles (46-27-9, 101 pts)
Regular season series (Canucks lead 3-1)
Oct 29, 2009 Vancouver 2, Los Angeles 1
Nov 26, 2009 Los Angeles 1, Vancouver 4
Dec 14, 2009 Los Angeles 1, Vancouver 3
Apr 1, 2010 Vancouver 3, Los Angeles 8
This is a David vs. Goliath matchup that has the potential to create the biggest upset. The Vancouver Canucks will look to ride their offensive depth into the second round of the playoffs against a team that boasts a good mix of youth and experience.
Vancouver was 5-4-1 in their last 10 games while LA wasn’t much better with a 4-3-3 record.
There are plenty of question marks for each team in this series.
For the Kings, goaltender Jonathan Quick hasn’t won since March 22 and started 72 games this season. He will need to find his touch once again if the Kings want to stick around with the mighty Canucks. Vancouver has injuries on defense and has the recent weak play of Roberto Luongo to worry about.
The Canucks have been superb on home ice and their fire power will be too much.
Pick: Vancouver Canucks in 5
(4) Phoenix (50-25-7, 107 pts) vs. (5) Detroit (44-24-14, 102 pts)
Regular season series (Series tied 2-2)
Oct 22, 2009 Detroit 2, Phoenix 3
Dec 14, 2009 Phoenix 2, Detroit 3
Jan 2, 2010 Detroit 4, Phoenix 1
Jan 26, 2010 Phoenix 5, Detroit 4
This is the most unlikely of playoff matches in the first round. The superstar starved Phoenix Coyotes take on the decade long Western Conference bullies, the Detroit Red Wings.
The Phoenix Coyotes went 5-3-2 in their last 10 games while the Red Wings went 8-1-1 in their last 10 and won 13 of their last 16 (two overtime losses).
The Detroit Red Wings have simply been on fire. Offense defense and goaltending have all peaked at the right time and have made the Wings an unlikely favorite to win the Cup.
The Coyotes will once again live on borrowed time and hope that MVP candidate Ilya Bryzgalov can slow down the Detroit juggernaut.
Is it possible? Highly unlikely!
Pick: Detroit Red Wings in 5
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