End Of An Era: The Detroit Red Wings' "Perfect Human" Nicklas Lidstrom Retires

(Photo via slapshotcentral.tumblr.com)

Stanley Cup Champion. Olympic Champion. World Champion. Norris Trophy Winner. Conn Smythe Recipient. All Star. After 20 dominant years, "Mr. Perfect" Nicklas Lidstrom retired from the franchise that drafted him 53rd overall in '89. He was selected after Sundin, Holik, Kolzig, Foote and Zamuner to name a few. He is the most decorated player of that draft and arguably the most important d-man of all time. 

2012 NHL Playoffs: Top Seeds And Perennial Contenders Dropping Like Keslers

(Photo via sports.yahoo.com)

If the Washington Capitals find a way to take game 7 in Boston against the Bruins, we'll have no returning Cup champs in the tourney. No Penguins. No Wings. The Blackhawks are holding on by a thread and could be bumped out by Phoenix in the near future.

Sharks vs Red Wings - NHL Playoffs - Western Conference Semi-Final

This is it! 1,230 games have been completed 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 allpro.com)

2

VS

3

2011 Season Series

San Jose won 3-1

What's the Story?:

The Red Wings cannot be denied. They played through Phoenix with some key injuries to important offensive players (Zetterberg, Franzen).

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.

Quick Shot Predictions for the Western Conference - NHL PLayoffs - Round 1

My full post for the Western Conference isn't ready yet, so I'm giving you my predictions very quickly in this post since the playoffs start tonight.

Don't want y'all to think that I'm cheating on my predictions by letting a full day of action pass by! ;)

1-Canucks vs 8-Blackhawks

Canucks win in 5

2-Sharks vs 7-Kings

Sharks win in 7

3-Red Wings vs 6-Coyotes

Upset! Coyotes win in 7

4-Ducks vs 5-Predators

Ducks win in 5

The complete Round 1 post for the West will be ready tomorrow.

-Paqman