Where Legends are Made : NHL Playoffs - Western Conference - Round 1

This is it! 1,230 games have passed and the 2nd season begins. 16 teams participate and 1 will hoist the most coveted trophy in professional sports: the Stanley Cup. This is one of the toughest tournaments in the world and P&B will be your round by round guide.

(Photo via canucksarmy.com)

1   

VS

8

2011 Season Series:

Tied at 2-2

What's the story?:

Like the Rangers in the East, the Blackhawks benefited from a team's loss to slip into the final playoff spot.
The Stars lost their final game in embarrassing fashion and lost Coach Crawford in the process. The defending Cup Champs have their work cut out for them as they have drawn the President's Trophy winners. The winning core of players remain after a mass exodus during the off season. Dave Tallon is giggling in the dark somewhere in Florida.

The Canucks feasted on the opposition this year. They tore up the league while racking up 54 wins for 117 points. The Twins decided to switch jerseys so that they could both have a Hart trophy and become the first pair of brothers to win it 2 years running. The award hasn't been handed out yet, but all signs point to yes (sorry Perry, you were hot for the last month, but Daniel was consistent all season). Kesler emerged as a scoring threat with his first 40 goal season and continued to be dependable on both sides of the ice. The Canucks have a balanced attack that will exploit any mistakes by the Hawks during the course of this series. Malhotra will be out indefinitely due to a terrible upper face injury. He will sorely be missed since he brings so many intangible besides offense. 

Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before you Pick a Winner:

Will the Canucks bring the Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993? Is Sedin Swedish for "how the hell did you know your brother was there?..what a sick pass!". Can the Hawks beat Vancouver without Byfuglien, Bolland and Ladd?

Key Playas and Pretendas to watch: 

Hawks Playas: Towes, Sharp, Kane, Keith

Hawks Pretendas: Seabrook, Turco

Canucks Playas: Sedin Twins, Kesler, Burrows

Canucks Pretendas: Samuelson, Salo, Torres

P&B prediction:

Without Byfuglien, the Blackhawks will not have that mojo or swagger to take out the Canucks. Van City will make this a quick one and will wrap it up in 5.

2

VS

7

2011 Season Series:

Tied at 3-3

What's the Story?:

The Kings started out the season very strong, faltered mid way and picked up the pace to end the season. The biggest loss for this team is without a doubt the catalyst for their offense, Anze Kopitar. He suffered torn ligaments in his right ankle which means "see ya" until next year. The players that they picked up over the last year will need to step up their game since Doughty can't do it all himself. Shout out to the homeboy Wayne Simmonds on behalf of Turnbull.

The Sharks have been labeled as chokers for one simple reason: they have been beyond successful in the regular season and come apart at the seams during the playoffs. One of the greatest philosophers of our time, Jon Bon Jovi, brilliantly sang "You can't win until you're not afraid to lose". San Jose has been there and is ready for the next step. Breakout sophomore Couture had a great season and has provided some much needed offense with Heatley having one of his worse offensive outputs in memory. The addition of last year's Stanley Cup winning goalie Antti Niemi solidifies the back end and brings them some much needed credibility.

 

Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before You Pick a Winner:

Will the Sharks choke once again? Can the Kings advance without Kopitar? Will this be an epic Battle of California?

Key Playas and Pretendas to Watch:

Kings Playas: Doughty, Brown, Smyth, Quick

Kings Pretendas: Ponikarovsky, Handzus, Penner

Sharks Playas: Marleau, Thornton, Couture, Clowe, Niemi
Sharks Pretendas: Heatley, Wellwood

P&B Prediction:

The young Kings won't be able to handle the experienced Sharks. Look for San Jose to battle this out and take it in 7. 

3

VS

6

2011 Season Series:

Tied at 2-2

What's the Story?:

Resident rumor mongerer Kyperos got the media buzzing with his claim that the Coyotes will move to Winnipeg once the playoffs are over. Mr 4th liner said that the deal to keep the team in Glendale is dead. The last thing the Yotes need this year is a distraction after having another great year. They feature a team with once upon a time all stars (Jovanovsky, Bryzgalov and Doan), solid defense (anchored by Yandle) and adequate offence. They haven't done much damage in the post season in the past but could surprise some folks this year.

The Red Wings are the epitome of a classy and successful organization. They have qualified for the playoffs for a record 20th season in a row. No other franchise in North America can claim this achievement. The Wings are the cream of the crop thanks to GM Ken Holland's brilliant management of this team. The biggest knock against this team is their goaltending with Howard getting the vote of confidence. Losing Zettetberg for the first round due to injury will hurt, but you would assume that they have enough world caliber stars to pick up the slack.

Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before You Pick a Winner:

Can the Wings goaltending pull another one out of their ass? Will the relocation rumors have an effect on the Coyotes performance? Why isn't Mike Modano retired yet?

Key Playas and Pretendas to Watch:

Coyotes Playas: Doan, Yandle, Whitney
Coyotes Pretendas: Stempniak, Upshall, Vrbata

Red Wings Playas: Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Franzen, Holmstrom
Red Wings Pretendas: Eaves, Howard, Miller

P&B Prediction: 

This is my only pick for an upset. Losing Zetterberg for the series is the deal breaker. Yotes in 7.

4

VS

5

2011 Season Series:

Nashville won 3-1

What's the Story?:

Many believe that Trotz should be a Jack Adams candidate/winner/miracle worker for his work with the Preds. Is there an award for 'working with little but getting it done"? Rinne is the perennial all star, coupled with the always dangerous Weber, help to make this team a contender. The addition of Fisher at the deadline gives them a solid 2 way forward that can bury the puck thanks to his banging shot.

The story for the Ducks comes down to 2 players that have picked up their game in the last month: Emery and Perry. Perry has been napalmatic, reaching 50 goals for the first time in his career and adding a Rocket Richard award to his trophy room. Emery signed with the Ducks as an FA after successfully returning from what was deemed as a career ending hip surgery. He went undefeated in his first 6 games for the club. Selanne is playing like he's 29 again, which doesn't bode well for any opposing team.

Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before You Pick a Winner:

Can Perry continue to score at this torrid pace? Can the Preds contain Anaheim's first line? Is Selanne really 41 years old?

Key Playas and Pretendas to Watch:

Predators Playas: Fisher, Weber, Rinne, Erat, Kostitsyn

Predators Pretendas: Goc, Dumont

Anaheim Playas: Getzlaf, Perry, Emery, Selanne, Koivu
Anaheim Pretendas: Ellis, Blake, Lilja

P&B Prediction: 

The Ducks offense will be too much for Nashville to handle. Anaheim will take the wheel and win in 5.

(All icons via NHL.com)