The road to the Stanley Cup should run right through Detroit as the Red Wings are the West's top seed. (CP Images)
The West, my friends, is best. Or it sure as heck seems that way as the playoffs get set to begin.
With apologies to the Penguins and Canadiens, the four-horse race shaping up in the Western Conference promises to be a good ol' fashioned shootout.
Wild, wild west? You bet.
Oh, and the five through eight seeds are more than capable of pulling off an upset or two along the way.
Hockey.com wraps up its opening round NHL Playoff Preview by taking a look at the Western Conference matchups. Let us know if we are on the money or just out to lunch by offering your own predictions:
DETROIT RED WINGS (1) VS.NASHVILLE PREDATORS (8)
SEASON SERIES: Detroit 5-3-0, Nashville 3-3-2
OUR TAKE: So normally the worst-vs.-first matchup is nothing but an afterthought, huh? Not so fast, Motown. While the Wings did win the season series, the Predators managed just three regulation losses in eight games with the Presidents' Trophy champions this season. Nashville tanked rested a few a players in their season finale, presumably to get the Red Wings instead of the Sharks in the opening round. Wonder if the Red Wings will use that as bulletin board material. Either way, the Flying Wheel should advance but it won't be a slam dunk like most think. DETROIT in 6.
SAN JOSE SHARKS (2) VS. CALGARY FLAMES (7)
SEASON SERIES: Calgary 3-1-0, San Jose 1-2-1
OUR TAKE: The real question seems to be can anyone slow the Sharks down this spring? We may find that answer out early as the Flames should give the Sharks fits. Throw in the fact that Joe Thornton managed one measly assist in four head-to-head meetings with Cowtown, and the whispers of an upset get a little bit louder. Thornton's disappearing act in the playoffs led the Bruins to pull one of the worst trades in history but until Big Joe takes his game to that next level when it matters most, there will always be questions. Jarome Iginla and the Flames will try to crash and bash their way to an upset, but the Sharks are the hottest team in the league right now - and yes, that includes Washington. They'll have to fight for it, but the Sharks will finally pull the Flames under. SAN JOSE IN 7.
MINNESOTA WILD (3) VS. COLORADO AVALANCHE (6)
SEASON SERIES: Minnesota 5-2-1, Colorado 3-4-1
OUR TAKE: Minnesota may be the darkhorse of the top four seeds out West but, trust me, that is not by design. The Wild won five of eight with the guys from the Rockies this season, but the question mark in this series could turn out to be Peter Forsberg. If #21 can regain his playoff touch, the Avs, with Forsberg, Joe Sakic, Paul Stastny and Ryan Smyth, could make life miserable for Niklas Backstrom. Props to Jose Theodore for his splendid rebound season, but Backstrom and the Wild should claw this one out. MINNESOTA in 7.
ANAHEIM DUCKS (4) VS.DALLAS STARS (5)
SEASON SERIES: Dallas 5-3-0, Anaheim 3-5-0
OUR TAKE: Many feel this will be the most intriguing matchup of the opening round, but the Zamboni driver may have to worry about flooding between the bluelines only. That is where most of this series will probably be played. Oh well, if nothing else, it could be a cure of insomnia. A couple of months ago, I may have given you straight-up odds for the Stars to edge the Ducks, but after watching Dallas stumble their way in (3-5-2 over their final ten games), this one could get painful to watch. At least if you are a Dallas fan. The champs won't be getting knocked out here. ANAHEIM in 6.