The west

More fearless predictions in the 2009 NHL playoffs, this time focused on the western Conference

San Jose Sharks (1) vs Anaheim (no longer mighty) Ducks (8)
The battle of California will be a fierce one, both teams will be playing with a lot of grit and both teams really don't like each other very much. Expect some pig PIM in this series.
Looking at this series though I'll start with the goalies. Nabakov is a goalie with very impressive regular season and playoff numbers. While Hiller who will likely start for ANA is a big question mark. He stole the starting job from Giguere who won the Stanley cup with ANA just a few short years ago. I have to give the edge to SJ in this case.
SJ does have a curse though they always seem to find a way to lose even though they shouldn't. My buddy Scott goes 'all in' with SJ each season and always ends up disappointed. Yet he keeps coming back to them (its battered fan syndrome!) I think in at least this series he will be a happy camper. Ana is not the same team that won the cup, while SJ has done a lot to exercise the demons of the past.
SJ in 6

Detroit Red Wings (2) vs Columbus Blue jackets (7)
Congrats to the Blue Jackets for making it into the post season for the first time in the team's history. It is long overdue. I think this first post season trip however will be a quick one. I really think in another year or so you will be a real threat but for now you are coming head to head with a playoff beast.
The only place that Columbus has an edge on Det is in net. Steve Mason who will probably win the Calder trophy (for rookie of the year) has no payoff experience but has put up some incredible numbers. While in Det Osgood has faltered all season, Conklin has been decent but I don't think he can carry Det through the post season.
As big a question mark as Det's goalies are though I think it will not haunt them in this series (that will happen in a subsequent one) and therefore I predict
Detroit in 5

Vancouver Canucks (3) vs St Loius blues (6).
My good buddy Darren is a huge fan of the Nucks despite living in Leaf nation. Together this season we got to see the nucks live against the Habs (and get beat!) but what was apparent to me was that Van was a team that didn't quit and had a lot of tools at their disposal.
While Luongo doesn't have much (any?) post season experience I think everyone can agree he is the real deal and will translate his success in the regular season to the post. It will begin here.
St louis has had a remarkable finish to the season but I fear the gas has run out. Mason has the potential to steal games but I just dont feel he can out duel Luongo. Luongo is sure to steal a few more goals than Mason.
Up front the Blues have been without Kariya for some time and the rest of their forwards have really come through and shown what they are made of. Vancouver has had a mediocre offense but with the addition of Sundin the offense seems to have woken up and Vancouver was able to steal 3rd in the west from Calgary.
all this to say I was impressed witht eh way the Blues finished the season, I hope it translates into next season cause this playoff appearence is going no further.
Van in 6

Chicago Blackhawks (4) vs Calgary Flames (5)
Teams go through ups and downs. The flames SHOULD be a force in the playoffs, they have the veteran net minder, superstar offense, and a strong defensive corps. The Hawks have 2 strong goalies 1 who has already won a cup. A questionable back end (defensively anyways) and a strong cast of forwards, they also have youth and this will help as they are confident and don't know they shouldn't go far in the playoffs. Calgary has had a rough end to the season and they will have only a short time to turn it around if they can manage to right the ship they can go far, they have all the pieces. Unfortunately they are still pointing the wrong way and even managed to lose the 3rd position to the Nucks when it was more or less locked down by them a while ago. The flames are this seasons SJ post season chokers.
Still it will not be easy for the hawks and like I said it could go either way.
Chicago in 7