It is that time of year when the playoffs are here.

The NHL playoffs are a grueling stretch of unshaved beards and pain killers until the Stanley cup is handed to one single team. The Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators have the 1st seeds in their respected divisions. The hottest team in the land is the San Jose Sharks whose torrid run in their last ten games gave them the 5 th seed in the west. The Sharks will face the Nashville Predator’s who will be making their first appearance into the clutches of the playoffs.

Insult to injury for Nashville, as not only are the Predators facing the red hot Sharks but will be without starting goalie Tomas Vokoun. The most intriguing match-up is in the east as 3 rd seeded New Jersey Devils who would be getting much more attention with their hot finish if it was not for the Sharks. The Devils will be facing 6 th seeded and rivals, New York Rangers. The Rangers and Devils are separated by one point in the regular seeded standings and have split the regular season games.

The intensity of hockey playoffs is unreal as bodies have the rest of the year to heal. The key to a successful
playoff run starts with a hot goalie. Defense turns into offense and back checking is critical to a quick counter attack. High flying lines in the regular season have a tendency of failing as facing the opponent’s top defense on every shift can be devastating. There is only a handful of teams who on paper have the talent to win the cup.

The Detroit Red Wings are the favorites followed by Ottawa Senators, and Carolina Hurricanes. The New Jersey Devils and Dallas Stars might sneak into the Stanley cup finals but will not have enough to win it all. The San Jose Sharks are the glamour pick and with scoring champ Jonathan Cheechoo and points champ Joe Thornton. Buffalo Sabers are the most underrated team in all of the NHL and should not be taken lightly.

Both 6th seeded New York Rangers and Anaheim Mighty Ducks are sleepers to reaching the finals but in the end the Sharks will be glamorous in winning the cup.

Comments (1)

	1. 03:27AM 05-08-2006
	Go Sharks SHarks rule Guest

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