Sharks vs Canucks - NHL Playoffs - Western Conference 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

Luongo snags a Thornton shot (photo via canucks.nhl.com)

1

VS

2

2011 Season Series:

Vancouver won 3-1

What's the story?:

The Sharks have made it to the Western Final for the second year in a row. For those of you that have a short memory (or if you're a Sharks fans), the Blackhawks swept San Jose on their way to winning the cup. You can't win until you learn how to lose, right?

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