NHL

NHL Playoffs Preview - Western Conference
Red Wings Set For Western Run

By Stephen Cohen

Also: Eastern Conference Preview

NHL fans have been waiting two long years for the "fastest game on ice" to return to playoff action. The last team to hold up the Stanley Cup trophy was the Tampa Bay Lightning, who defeated the Calgary Flames in a hard fought seven-game battle, in June of 2004. Then came the NHL lockout, which lasted 310 days and resulted in a lost 2004-05 NHL season. No team was awarded the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1919, due to a flu epidemic. We have treatments and vaccinations for the flu, but we do not have any such solutions for greed and mismanagement.

Nevertheless, this season has been an unexpected success, with reported NHL attendance records set in many arenas across North America. Much can be attributed to the game being missed by hockey loyalists. However, others claim that new rules, such as the elimination of the center line and the decrease in size of goalie equipment, have increased goal scoring and added new excitement to the game. Also, the much controversial shootout rule (there are no more ties in the NHL) was added as a new dimension to the game and has piqued fans' curiosity.

Finally, incredible seasons from such notable players as the Calgary Flames' goalie/magician Miikka Kiprusoff, San Jose Sharks' top playmaker, Joe Thornton, and probable Hart (MVP) Trophy winner, the New York Rangers' goal-scoring sensation, Jaromir Jagr, in addition to arguably the greatest rookie class ever, from such new sensations as the Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby, New York Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist, Calgary Flames' Dion Phaneuf, and probable Calder (rookie of the year) Trophy winner, the Washington Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin have made this an NHL season to remember.

So, who will/will not win and why?

Western Conference (in order of seeding)

Detroit Red Wings (1)

Why they will win - There is not a weak link on this team. This team just improved after the lockout. They've got superstars all over the ice who know how to win. Nicklas Lidstrom continues to be the best defensive player in the league. Manny Legace has finally gotten the chance to prove that he should have been the starting goaltender in Detroit years ago.

Why they will not win - A few of those superstars, namely Chris Chelios and Brendan Shanahan, have shown their age at times. If they play with the arrogance that they have shown the past two playoffs, they will be ripe for an upset in the early rounds.

Dallas Stars (2)

Why they will win - Dave Tippett has rapidly turned this team right back into a Stanley Cup contender. The offense on this team is just deadly with Mike Modano, Jere Lehtinen, Jason Arnott, and the underrated Jussi Jokinen. The defense is just as good and productive. The Stars haven't been this good in a while and are hungry.

Why they will not win - Despite leading the league in goalie wins, Marty Turco, should have been better with the defense that he has in front of him and the goal support he gets. Just when the Stars look like a possible Stanley Cup champ, they will mysteriously let down and be defeated by a team they should beat handily.

Calgary Flames (3)

Why they will win - Miikka Kiprusoff, Miikka Kiprusoff, Miikka Kiprusoff. Get used to that name for the next decade! They are now a fully experienced playoff team, with leadership from Jarome Iginla. The first season of Dion Phaneuf on defense and the play of his fellow defensemen, Roman Hamrlik, Jordan Leopold, and Robyn Regher, make them one of the scariest defenses around.

Why they will not win - The Flames are no longer a secret like the last playoffs, and everyone will be ready for them. The offense likes to take prolonged nights off.

Nashville Predators (4)

Why they will win - They are simply the most exciting team in the league to watch. Not enough teams have seen replacement goalie Chris Mason, who has been fantastic after the loss of Tomas Vokoun. Paul Kariya, Steve Sullivan, Mike Sillinger, Jordin Tootoo, and Yanic Perreault make this a team of offensive snipers.

Why they will not win - The teams that Mason has defeated include St. Louis, Chicago, Columbus, Minnesota, and Phoenix–none of which are in the playoffs. The loss of Vokoun is devastating to this team. Also, the defense is the weakest out of the Western Conference playoff teams.

San Jose Sharks (5)

Why they will win - They may have started slowly this season, but if upsets happen above them, look for this team to go very far. They got the steal of the year from the Boston Bruins in acquiring Joe Thornton, who would win the Hart Trophy if it was not for the play of a guy named Jaromir Jagr in New York. Jonathan Cheechoo and Patrick Marleau also guide this dominating offense.

Why they will not win - The defense is young and inexperienced. Goalies Evgeni Nabokov and Vesa Toskala could start on any team, but the up-and-down seasons of these players (partially due to injuries) will haunt them in the playoffs.

Anaheim Mighty Ducks (6)

Why they will win - Remember the 2003 playoffs and a certain goaltender named Jean-Sebastien Giguere? Now the Ducks have two solid goalies, with the play of Ilya Bryzgalov. They have experience on defense, especially with the spectacular Scott Niedermeyer (who knows how to play in the playoffs with the Devils). Teemu Selanne has returned! Like the Devils, this team is on a tear.

Why they will not win - Like the Devils, their late season run may have taken everything out of them. They do not have the depth on offense after you get past the Andy McDonald and Todd Marchant first and second lines.

Colorado Avalanche (7)

Why they will win - In a very odd year for the Avs, the offense has jelled well with experienced stars such as the always dependable Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk, and Alex Tanguay. The defense is still strong with John-Michael Liles and Rob Blake.

Why they will not win - Anyone who thinks that this team has a goaltender to get them past the first round raise your hand? Also, the loss of offensive force Marek Svatos has been hard to overcome. This team does not match up well against the top three conference teams.

Edmonton Oilers (8)

Why they will win - As usual, they are the hardest working team in the league. The team has four lines of solid forwards. The first line is particularly devastating to other Western Conference teams with Shawn Horcoff, Ryan Smyth, and Ales Hemsky. The Edmonton crowd is ready for the playoffs after the team finished in ninth one full season ago.

Why they will not win - There is no solid defense after veterans Chris Pronger and Jaroslav Spacek. The quick fix of adding Dwayne Roloson from the Wild was a nice try, but it is not enough against this type of competition.

My picks:

Eastern Conference Finals - Ottawa over Carolina in six

Western Conference Finals - Detroit over Dallas in seven