"Had to find some higher ground.
Had some fear to get around.
You can say what you don't know.
Later on won't work no more.
Last time through I hid my tracks.
So well I could not get back.
Yeah my way was hard to find.
Can't sell your soul for peace of mind.
Square one, my slate is clear.
Rest your head on me my dear.
It took a world of trouble, took a world of tears.
It took a long time to get back here."
- Square One, Tom Petty
This year's road through the West to Lord Stanley's Cup is riddled with questions, mystery, and unexpected roadblocks.
Over the last couple of years, handicapping the Western Conference has been a piece of cake.
There was Detroit and everybody else. Questions would loom about the Sharks ability to perform come spring, while a handful of other teams would linger behind the Wings.
This year is a different story. Detroit is older, has been riddled with injuries, and is currently just hoping to hold onto a playoff spot. San Jose is facing the same old questions, and are also winless over their last six games. Chicago has a big year of playoff experience under their belt, and although they suffered some recent injuries, are still arguably the top team out West. Young upstart squads - Los Angeles, Colorado, and the Coyotes (who are riding an unbelievable nine game winning streak) - have enjoyed great seasons, and should see their first playoff action in some time. Vancouver boasts top-shelf goaltending as well as the top scoring team in the Western Conference (who saw that coming?). The Predators are one of the toughest opponents in the NHL, and boast a league best nine players with 30 or more points.
And those on the outside looking in - Calgary, St. Louis, Anaheim, and Minnesota - are far from walk-over's.
But, every team has some big concerns. Can the Hawks overcome questionable goaltending? Will Phoenix be able to ramp it up and score enough goals in a playoff atmosphere? Can the Canucks overcome some defensive injuries and continue to get well-rounded scoring? Is San Jose going to finally shake their playoff demons? Can Nashville score enough goals consistently? Does Los Angeles have enough experience? Can the Avs continue to employ their "bend but not break" approach successfully? Does Detroit have enough left in the tank for a long playoff run?
If the playoffs were to start today, we'd be looking at these four matchups:
(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (8) Detroit Red Wings
(2) Phoenix Coyotes vs. (7) Colorado Avalanche
(3) Vancouver Canucks vs. (6) Los Angeles Kings
(4) San Jose Sharks vs. (5) Nashville Predators
Are any of these matchups easy to project? A healthy Detroit team that finally has some goaltending versus a Hawks team that has taken some hits on defense and boasts a duo of questionable tenders? Two inexperienced teams (Phoenix and Colorado) who have both been successful in tight games throughout the season? A tough-skinned Canucks squad against a young, well balanced team (Kings) who dominates along the boards? A Sharks team (winless in six) going in one direction and a Predators team (five-game winning streak) heading in the other?
The one thing I can guarantee - watching the eight Western Conference Playoff teams duke it out is going to be a treat.
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