No. 1 Sharks vs. No. 8 Avalanche
Where » HP Pavilion
When » Wednesday, 10:30 p.m.
San Jose has topped 99 points in seven of the last eight seasons. Yet for all that regular-season success, the Sharks have been past the second round just once and have never reached the Stanley Cup finals. San Jose is facing a young Colorado team that was expected to finish near the bottom of the entire NHL yet surprised everyone by reaching the postseason.
No. 2 Blackhawks vs. No. 7 Predators
Where » United Center
When » Friday, 8:30 p.m.
Chicago is seen by many experts as a Stanley Cup favorite and the Western Conference version of the Capitals. Nashville may lack that star power and has yet to win a postseason series in franchise history. But it has good scoring depth and Pekka Rinne is a fine goalie. Questions abound about Chicago netminders Antti Niemi and Cristobal Huet.
No. 3 Canucks vs. No. 6 Kings
Where » General Motors Place
When » Thursday, 10 p.m.
Vancouver center Henrik Sedin won the Art Ross Trophy for most points (112). His twin brother, Daniel (1.35 points per game), isn’t half-bad, either. But goalie Roberto Luongo needs to play his best hockey if the Canucks want to come out of a stacked Western Conference. Los Angeles last made the postseason in 2002. The inexperienced Kings may be a year ahead of their learning curve.
No. 4 Coyotes vs. No. 5 Red Wings
Where » Jobing.com Arena
When » Wednesday, 10 p.m.
The NHL’s redheaded stepchild actually topped 100 points and crashed the playoff party. Phoenix — left for dead as a hockey market over the summer with its team still owned by the league — actually is a Western Conference dark horse to root for this postseason. This is a tough opening matchup for Phoenix, though. Detroit, two-time defending conference champ, is the NHL’s best team since Feb. 13 with a 17-3-2 record.
