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2010 NHL playoffs: Western Conference Round 2 predictions

Brent Seabrook, Mason Raymond

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook, right, checks Vancouver Canucks left wing Mason Raymond into the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 5, 2010 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

AP

Another round, another set of darts. This time, we’re taking a look at Round 2 of the 2010 NHL Playoffs (also known as the Conference Semifinals, if you’re a stickler for details). I think the question is: which team will torment us with their upset special this round?

Since the East got first dibs last round, we’ll go with the West first today.

[1] San Jose vs. [5] Detroit

Brandon: The Red Wings were taken to the brink of elimination in the 1st round, but they showed they still know how to play dominating team hockey. The Sharks will need more than just Joe Pavelski to have their own shot. Red Wings in 6.

James: I picked the Sharks to win the Cup last summer, so I figure it’s best to lay in the hockey bed I made. This will depend (gulp) on San Jose’s big dogs waking from their typical summer slumber. I cannot see the Sharks winning a Game 7 against the Red Wings, so six games it is? Yikes. Sharks in 6.

Joe: I tried to look at this one in some sort of logical formulaic kind of way. San Jose had issues containing the spunky play of Colorado while Detroit had a couple of games where they couldn’t stop a pee wee team, never mind and NHL team, on the power play. Add in some homer-iffic glasses in which to view this series and... Voila! Truth be told, Detroit showed signs of some killer instinct in parts of their series that haven’t been shown in some time from this team and that should scare the chum out of the Sharks as they’re already a team that has issues handling the Wings. Red Wings in 6.

[2] Chicago vs. [3] Vancouver

Brandon: It’s the contest of “our goaltending is more consistent than yours.” Will the suspect defense of Vancouver be able to sustain the offense of Chicago? Can the Blackhawks find some way to slow down the Sedins? Whatever happens, this will be the series to watch. Vancouver in 7.

James: This is a really tough one. On paper, Chicago’s offense can go toe-to-toe with any in the league but Vancouver was the West’s leading goal producing team. I like the talent of the Blackhawks’ D better than the banged up Canucks blueline, but commitment-wise? Eh, not so sure about that. Plus, Roberto Luongo really showed me something in Game 6. Antti Niemi was great in Round 1, but going from facing the Predators offense to squaring off against the Canucks offense is like defending against bows and arrows and then running into a tank. Vancouver in 7.

Joe: I think this will be the best series of the four remaining and a lot of that is based upon how crazy their series was in last year’s playoffs but more than anything it’s based on Vancouver being a better team than they were last season. Does Vancouver have issues? Yes. Does Chicago have issues against defensive-minded teams? Yes. Can they both fill the net if need be? Definitely. I am just running with a gut feeling here that says Vancouver is going to get it done. Nothing more, nothing less. These teams are extremely even. Vancouver in 7.