The West is Set

In 2 games featuring a double elimination night, the teams on the brink of golfing just couldn't get it done. The Calgary Flames lose their game to the Blackhawks 4-1, and the San Jose Sharks lose their game to the Ducks 4-1. The Western Conference Semi-Finals has been determined and will feature the Ducks and Red Wings in one series, with the Canucks taking on the Blackhawks in the other. Two sweeping teams vs. two teams that went to Game 6. Interesting Setup.

Calgary Vs. Chicago

From the get go, it did not seem like the Flames had a chance to get into it. They constantly surrendered late surges after early leads and just could not get finish on plays that should have ended in a goal. They lacked leadership throughout and the young guns who were able to score over 30 and 40 goals could not find the back of the net.

Kiprusoff seemed like he was burnt out at the end of the regular season and once the post-season began, he played similar hockey. Perhaps if he is not in net for 76 games in the regular season next year he'll be of better help to the club when it truly matters; however, there is one reason why he had to play that many games. The club did not have the wages to afford a decent backup and were worried of losing games down the stretch and ultimately finishing behind the Canucks in the Northwest Standings. That said, a simple home-ice advantage issue should not be the cause of burning out your goaltender against teams like Los Angeles and Colorado. There needs to be a repair on the goaltending services next year that involve a stronger duo. Kipper needs a guy to man the pipes every 6 or 7 games.

Chicago, on the other hand, found out why Khabibulin was able to capture Lord Stanley with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Once they added Christobel Huet to the roster over the summertime, The 'Bulin Wall was energized and ready to battle for his number one position. He proved he is still capable of stealing games when they matter and the Flames were not too pleased over it. In Game 6, facing elimination, the Flames peppered him with 44 shots, only to score 1 goal, thanks to Todd Bertuzzi, on a shot that Khabibulin turns away from because he thought he was going to get hit square in the mask. He finished off the series 0.921 SV% after facing 190 shots, stopping 175 of them, and with a stronger defensive unit in front of him, he's provided the necessary goaltending to go far in the post-season. Vancouver should be well prepared for a series that will primarily feature a goaltender's duel. Luongo vs. Khabibulin.

With the amount of injuries the Flames suffered and the sheer finesse level on the Blackhawks team, the right team won the series.

Anaheim Vs. San Jose

This is a series that featured a powerhouse club in the San Jose Sharks against a team that has a ton of playoff experience and never gives up. That's exactly what played into the win for the Ducks - they never gave up.

The Sharks were destined the lose once people began to recognize that they would not give up the body in blocked shots, or go the extra mile for a race for the puck. You need to earn scars and bruises to win the Stanley Cup, and the Sharks did not earn their spot to move on. Yes, they go into a few fights; yes, they threw some big hits, but they did not find that extra gear to give it all they had when they needed it the most. In a sense, they kept allowing the losses the rally believing that "next game things will be different", but that next game featured more of the same. The Ducks took the punishment and still made the plays - the Sharks avoided the punishment in hopes to find the perfect play.

The Regular Season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are two different walks of life. You have teams that are buckling down to try and put together a successful year to make a few extra bucks by getting to the first round and you have other teams that are building chemistry and strength for the long battle that starts (not in October, but) in November. The Sharks played more like that team trying to get the extra playoff bonuses and not the team ready to take a beating to hoist the Silver Grail.

Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are an unbelievable trio. The loss of Dustin Penner two years ago has been filled by Bobby Ryan and there's no guessing that these three will be a line of superb talent for years to come. The Ducks now have a new core of players ready to take the reign and they proved it by wiping the President Trophy winners off the map right out of the gate.

Next stop: Motorcity, and a much anticipated battle between the Red Wings and the Ducks. If the Wings come into this series expecting to face another young, inexperienced team such as the Blue Jackets, they'll have another thing coming. I think of the Sharks would have advanced and met the Wings in the post-season (regardless of standings) they would not fair as well as the Ducks can. If San Jose met Detroit, I would have guessed Detroit to win it. Now that the Ducks are there, and ready to be Mighty once again, it's a tough call and certainly a series to pay attention to.

Micheal A. Aldred
michealaldred@hotmail.com

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Do or Die Night - Sharks and Flames Face Elimination

It's an intriguing night of hockey in the Western Conference as both the Calgary Flames and the regular season power house San Jose Sharks look to extend their post season with a win tonight against their respectful clubs. In what has been a frustrating playoff performance from both teams, they now must kick the team into high gear and force the Game 7.

The Calgary Flames have found out today that Dion Phaneuf, who has notched 3 assists and a +2 thus far in the series, will sit out tonight's game after bumping heads with Troy Brouwer in Game 5. This is a significant blow to the Flames blueline as they are already missing Robyn Regehr to a knee injury. Thankfully, the Flames will be playing at home tonight and will have to call upon their fan base to chime in some much needed energy to push this one to Game 7.

The Sharks were the leagues best team heading into the post-season, but for some reason (consider it a curse) the Sharks just can't seem to find a way to get it done in the playoffs. Down 3-2 in the opening round to the 8th seeded Ducks, the Sharks find themselves facing elimination for the second straight game and hope to avoid it once again with a win tonight on the road. That said, the Ducks are by no means a terrible team. In fact, the teams who placed 2nd to even as much as 4th have had an easier opening team to play against than the Sharks have landed in the Ducks.

Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau will be called upon once again to push this series and get a win, for anything less than a series victory is a failure on the season and on behalf of the leaders of this team. The Sharks have come and gone from the playoffs for far too long without making it to the Finals, and that is certainly not what this organization wishes to see again this time around. Simply being a difficult team to beat in the playoffs is not what this team has longed for. If they want the cup badly, they'll have to pay the price to get there, starting with a physical, grinding game tonight on the road.

I'll be covering the Flames/Blackhawks on TheScore tonight. Tune into TheScore's liveblogs for more details.

Micheal Aldred
michealaldred@hotmail.com

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Wings and Oilers Pre-Game

Tonight, I'll be liveblogging the Wings and Oilers game at The Score. The Oilers sit somewhat uncomfortably in the 7th seed in the West. A win tonight would bump them to 81 points, 1 point back of the 6th seeded Blue Jackets, and give them a 5 point breathing room from rival clubs looking to crack the post-season. They certainly have a chance at doing so tonight against the Red Wings.

Detroit has come off a loss last night to the Calgary Flames and the back to back challenges of facing difficult teams, especially a team that is fighting to stay in a playoff position, could be a stronger game than most people would think.

Edmonton is also coming off a loss and has played poorly over their last 10 games, becoming streaky at best. They need to snap out of their 4-2-4 record and start leveraging the stats in the wins department. Detroit has fallen out of first in the West, 1 point back of the Sharks, and they have played 1 more game than the Sharks have. A win tonight will leap frog them back into first in the league, but regardless as to what position they finish in, it's hard to believe any of the top 3 will have a challenge in the first round.

Edmonton hopes to be that challenge, and a win tonight is a big statement to the league and to themselves.

Micheal A. Aldred
michealaldred@hotmail.com

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