Around the League: In the West

by Casey Richey on Apr 20, 2009 10:00 AM CDT in Quick Hits

Part two of the look around the league. Once again, sorted by seed.

San Jose/Anaheim

...Are we sure the Sharks won the President's Trophy? The real story in this series has been Anaheim goaltender Jonas Hiller. Notice I said Anaheim and didn't say JS Giguere in goal. Hiller has the Ducks out to a 2-0 series lead, both wins in San Jose. Hiller shutout the Sharks in Game 1 by stopping all 35 shots and stopped 42 of 44 shots last night en route to a Game 2 victory. San Jose has to win Game 3 on Tuesday or we could be looking at another epic postseason collapse. Give credit where credit is due though, the Ducks have out played the Sharks thus far and deserve to be up 2-0.

Detroit/Columbus

Well...most of you know what's going on here. Wings up 2-0 as the series shifts to Columbus on Tuesday night. Chris Osgood has played incredibly well in the first two games and looks to keep it up in Nationwide Arena.

Vancouver/St. Louis

My my. Vancouver is up 3-0 and can wrap it up early on Tuesday in Game 4. Bobby Luo (pictured above) and the Canucks have kept St. Louis out of the win column and could have them playing golf by Wednesday. I'm not saying this is going to happen for certain, but given St. Louis' lack of offensive firepower against one of the best goalies in the league? It's not looking too good for the Blues. There's been a lot of physical play pre and post whistle to keep things interesting, nothing like good ol' playoff intensity. The Sedins have been a big part of the Canucks success, together accounting for 9 points in the 3 games. Game 4 could see the end of the Blues season or just a delaying of the inevitable.

Chicago/Calgary

Maybe Calgary should have played better down the stretch so they could have drawn St. Louis instead of Chicago? This has been one of the better series so far, with each game going to the last minute. Chicago has shown more grit and more will in both games, a big factor in their 2-0 series lead. Kiprusoff hasn't been all that spectacular in net for the Flames but part of that is due to a lackadaisical effort by the defense. Calgary has shown some physical play but its mainly the type you don't want. What happened after that hit in Game 1 by Camalleri on Havlat? Oh Havlat just scored the game winning goal is all. Jonathan Toews was big in Game 2 and the 'Hawks will need him to keep playing that way to wrap up a series win. Game 3 is tonight in Calgary at 9:30 ET.

Now, let's hear your thoughts on the Western series

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Comments

i still think the

ducks/sharks series is going 6 or 7….such a tough series to root for anybody though….I love seeing the Sharks choke yet again but then again i really really reallly hate the Ducks

Jiri Hudler...our underrated MVP

by TuLoRocks2008 on Apr 20, 2009 3:25 PM CDT reply actions

GOD i hate the ducks. probably more than the avs at this point.

by nWolv13 on Apr 20, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions

haha

Yeah, i have this dilemma too. Anyway no one can win? I strongly dislike Pronger and his weird head but then again, I like the Sharks choking, as mentioned above.

www.wingingitinmotown.com

by Casey Richey on Apr 20, 2009 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Nucks and us should both

win in 5….i don’t like picking sweeps…i think the Jackets may steal Game 3….first ever home playoff game place will be nuts….maybe just maybe they steal one…

Flames i had picked to win in 6 games….the Blackhawks just seem to have there number this year(6-0) so far….but i will stick to that prediction and see the Flames winning the next 4

Jiri Hudler...our underrated MVP

by TuLoRocks2008 on Apr 20, 2009 3:27 PM CDT reply actions

Sweeps are hard to pick

Yeah I think CBJ has a chance with some renewed energy at home but if they dont get it, it could be 4 and done for the Jackets. Yeah Flames/Hawks has been an interesting series.

As for the Canucks…well haha they’ve been winning but they haven’t been classy about it. Just google or youtube “Canucks trash talking Blues” or something to that effect.

www.wingingitinmotown.com

by Casey Richey on Apr 20, 2009 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions

hahaha yea i've seen

i have always been in the blues blog for games 1 and 3 hahah

2 down....14 to go for a repeat Go Wings!!!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Apr 20, 2009 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions

ducks

I really don’t want to play Anaheim, I’ve watched both of those games and they are playing VERY well, very physical and lots of speed, and Hiller brings back bad memories of JSG against us in 200?.

I’d hate to be a CBJ player whose coach is always praising the opposition. I mean sure give credit where it’s due, but at least wait until after the series is over. Didn’t he say in the last few weeks of the season, “I don’t see how anybody can beat [the Wings] in a 7-game series if they play like that.” Columbus and Chicago we’ve ALREADY beaten them (ie they know they can’t beat us). Anaheim, different story.

All that said, our best > anybody else’s best.

by SEMIRetired on Apr 20, 2009 7:56 PM CDT reply actions

Hiller

Hiller has been making a name for himself and is the heir-apparent in Anaheim. They do pose a difficult threat, assuming they finish off the Sharks and we finish off the Jackets.

www.wingingitinmotown.com

by Casey Richey on Apr 21, 2009 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions

not really

Ducks have out played the Sharks thus far and deserve to be up 2-0.

the ducks have been outshot, out hit, beaten in the face off circle and any other stat excluding goals (even though thats the only stat that matters). if anything, jonas hiller deserves all the credit, not the entire team. he’s the one shutting down the sharks and their power play.

"It aint over till the fat lady sings." - Not Yogi Berra

by serrapadre716 on Apr 22, 2009 7:40 PM CDT reply actions