Western Conference

Playoff goaltending ranked 1 (best) to 16 (worst)

1 Red Wings vs. 8 Predators
Nashville's core of edgy young defensemen, including Dan Hamhuis (right), will make life difficult for Henrik Zetterberg (left) and Detroit's other offensive weapons. Thus the Wings must win this series in the trenches and not rely solely on their playmaking ability.

THE PICK
Red Wings in seven

8
15

2 Sharks vs. 7 Flames
Calgary is a physical, no-quit team, but this is a terrible matchup for the club. San Jose is deep offensively, and bruising Flames defensemen Dion Phaneuf (right) and Robyn Regehr can't slow everyone. Expect Sharks left wing Milan Michalek (left) to break out.

THE PICK
Sharks in five

2
4

3 Wild vs. 6 Avalanche
A matchup of great tactical coaches—Minnesota's Jacques Lemaire and Colorado's Joel Quenneville. The Wild need their young stars ( Brent Burns, left, is one) to be playoff-ready; the Avalanche need their time-tested veterans ( Peter Forsberg, right, is 34) to play with vigor.

THE PICK
Avalanche in seven

6
10