brief Western Conference picks

for the more detailed Eastern previews click here and scroll down...

DETROIT RED WINGS (1) vs. CALGARY FLAMES (8)

Calgary frustrated me all season long...but I still think this team at their best is poised for playoff success. Detroit's 113 point season is no fluke but Calgary is one of the strongest "number 8" teams in memory as well, having to play in the toughest division in the league has made them battle-worthy. The physical play of the Calgary defence will shut down the Wings' up-front talent, and Calgary's improvement on offence this year will make them forget about last spring's disappointing upset at the hands of the Ducks. Calgary in 6.

ANAHEIM DUCKS (2) vs. MINNESOTA WILD (7)

Marian Gaborik should strike fear in anyone...except perhaps the duo of Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger. Teemu Selanne has found new life in the new NHL - despite being the veteran forward on a team chock full of young guns, he led the team with 48 goals and will lead the powerful Ducks over the Wild in a series that will be closer than Anaheim likes. Minnesota's time is very close. Anaheim in 6.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS (3) vs. DALLAS STARS (6) How can you not love the Canucks' Dennis Ververgaert throwback uniforms? This could be a tractor pull, with neither team taking too many chances. In the end I like the potential of Roberto Luongo to win this low-scoring series on his own, as he's done all year for the Canucks. Vancouver in 7.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS (4) vs. SAN JOSE SHARKS (5) Poor Nashville - flirting with the division and league lead in points all season long, only to slip a little at the end and face the potentially devastating San Jose Sharks in the first round. Nashville has an enviable roster, but San Jose matches up everywhere and exceeds the Preds in toughness. Adding Bill Guerin and Craig Rivet at the deadline put the Sharks over the top. San Jose in 5.

Series E - #1 Detroit vs. #8 Calgary
Date	Time (ET)	Location	Network
Thu., April 12	7:00 p.m.	at Detroit	VERSUS, CBC
Sun., April 15	1:00 p.m.	at Detroit	NBC, CBC
Tue., April 17	10:00 p.m.	at Calgary	CBC, VERSUS
Thu., April 19	TBD	at Calgary	CBC, VERSUS
*Sat., April 21	3:00 p.m.	at Detroit	NBC, CBC
*Sun., April 22	TBD	at Calgary	CBC, VERSUS
*Tue., April 24	TBD	at Detroit	CBC, VERSUS
Series F - #2 Anaheim vs. #7 Minnesota
Date	Time (ET)	Location	Network
Wed., April 11	10:30 p.m.	at Anaheim	TSN
Fri., April 13	10:30 p.m.	at Anaheim	TSN
Sun., April 15	8:00 p.m.	at Minnesota	TSN
Tue., April 17	9:00 p.m.	at Minnesota	TSN
*Thu., April 19	10:30 p.m.	at Anaheim	TSN
*Sat., April 21	TBD	at Minnesota	TSN
*Mon., April 23	10:00 p.m.	at Anaheim	TSN
Series G - #3 Vancouver vs. #6 Dallas
Date	Time (ET)	Location	Network
Wed., April 11	10:00 p.m.	at Vancouver	CBC, RDS, VERSUS
Fri., April 13	9:00 p.m.	at Vancouver	CBC, RDS, VERSUS
Sun., April 15	9:30 p.m.	at Dallas	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Tue., April 17	8:00 p.m.	at Dallas	CBC, RDS (JIP)
*Thu., April 19	TBD	at Vancouver	CBC, RDS, VERSUS
*Sat., April 21	8:00 p.m.	at Dallas	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Mon., April 23	TBD	at Vancouver	CBC, RDS, VERSUS
Series H - #4 Nashville vs. #5 San Jose
Date	Time (ET)	Location	Network
Wed., April 11	8:00 p.m.	at Nashville	TSN
Fri., April 13	8:00 p.m.	at Nashville	TSN
Mon., April 16	10:00 p.m.	at San Jose	VERSUS, TSN
Wed., April 18	10:00 p.m.	at San Jose	VERSUS, TSN
*Fri., April 20	9:00 p.m.	at Nashville	VERSUS (JIP), TSN
*Sun., April 22	10:00 p.m.	at San Jose	VERSUS (JIP), TSN
*Tue., April 24	TBD	at Nashville	VERSUS, TSN