The Red Wings are 2nd in the Western Conference in goals scored. They're 3rd in the Conference in goals against. Only Vancouver has scored more. LA and St Louis have allowed fewer.

When this team is healthy, they can score at will and play solid shut down defense. There isn't a team in the Western Conference as dangerous as the Red Wings.

Nashville made some moves at the deadline but they haven't dominated and they have 6 remaining games against playoff teams including at Detroit, Chicago, and St Louis. They're still trying to figure out chemistry with the new parts. I think they added TOO many pieces.

Vancouver hasn't been able to close out the season strong. They're 4-4-2 in the last ten and while they have a relatively easy finish to the schedule, we all know that if you can rattle Luongo early, he'll kill his own team.

Chicago can't get Toews healthy and he's the battery to that team. Without him they are extremely streaky and very much a single line team. They only pose a real threat on the PP. Their defense is very suspect. Keith and Seabrook seem to have regressed together to be a very average pairing. They have 7 games against playoff teams.

St Louis is an enigma to me. I don't really know where they came from (and don't say Backes). On paper, it doesn't make sense. I don't know if there's a website that shows strength of schedule for the NHL, but I'd be curious to see if they have a lighter schedule strength. They do kill penalties and have the best GAA. I guess lots of 3-1, 2-0 games will do that for you. Taking advantage of Elliot and Halak playing out of their freaking skill level this year and every possible chance they had. Still, they're an enigma. The Wings are 3-2 against them this year with one more to go. I think that game will be telling of who really is the dominant team.

Colorado and San Jose...pish. San Jose paid the refs last night. San Jose might win 2 in the first round but I don't think they'll make it to the second round unless Jumbo Joe pulls something amazing out of his ass. Colorado might steal a game from any of the other playoff teams, but won't win a series.

As for the East, I'm much more worried about those teams. Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston could all give the Red Wings a rough time, but thankfully we won't meet them until the Finals and by then hopefully they've beat the crap so hard out of each other that they won't be able handle the the skill play by the Wings.