While not as exciting as being in Arras, France, there are some things going on over on this side of the world that should be talked about… and one of them is the impending NHL playoffs.

looking for biting social commentary? wow, are you ever in the wrong place

Calgary isn’t exactly filling me with confidence as we await the opening faceoff of their series vs. Detroit. They backed their way in to the playoffs by losing their last 4 games, and only made it in by the skin of their teeth thanks to a timely Nashville victory on Saturday night.

That game vs Edmonton was truly disappointing because the Flames were playing with purpose and had almost total control of the game.. until the PA announced that Colorado had been eliminated. Once that happened, the game looked like the Flames were the ones counting the minutes until their first tee time. If that is the team that shows up against Detroit Thursday night I predict a very short and ugly outcome to their series.

Without that Colorado loss this post could easily be about why the three teams I support stunk it up this season and managed to miss the playoffs. Oh well, at least the Leafs are out too.. it makes everything easier to take knowing there won’t be 2 hours of exclusive leaf nation coverage every night of the week.

My west predictions:

Dallas – Vancouver:
Turco finally gets that playoff gorilla off his back and manages to pull out a series win. I would like to say Vancouver can continue what I call the miracle of ’07 but I think Luongo will let in a series deciding goal before it is all over… low scoring and boring.

Stars in 5.

San Jose – Nashville:
Nabokov / Toskala vs Vokun / Mason. oh and some other guys named Cheechoo, Thornton, Marleau, Karyia, Forsberg and Sullivan are playing too. This could be a goaltender duel.. or it could just be a show of offence. My pick for the most entertaining first round matchup in the west.

Sharks in 6

Calgary – Detroit:
Which Calgary team will show up? winners of 6 straight, or losers of 4 straight?

If the Flames use their speed and make old man Hasek move laterally in the net, the series is theirs. However, if the Flames only manage 5 shots a period the red mile will be shut down before it begins (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing ).

“Jeckyll” Flames – Flames in 6
“Hyde” Flames – Wings in 5

Anaheim – Minnesota:
The fighting Ducks beat the crap out of the smaller Wild and take the series in relatively short order. I can’t see a crack in the Ducks lineup for a matchup against the Wild – except for a lack of playoff experience for some of their young guys – so this will be a slaughter.

Ducks in 5… max.

ok, so your best bet is to go pick the exact opposite of what I just said. seriously

later, the East!