According to TEAM1040, Jannik Hansen and Nathan Smith have been recalled from Manitoba, and so along with Tommi Santala already being a healthy scratch for Game 1, it's fair to say we will see neither Matt Cooke or Alexander Burrows in Game 2. This could also mean that there is a slight chance a third player from last nights game will sit, possibly Ryan Kesler depending on the severity of the injury to his index finger.

While the East has less series than the West that may go the distance to seven games, they have potential to be the most exciting matchups. Our analysts have compiled together their picks and thoughts on each series. While we generally agreed what would be the most important factor in the series, often at times we disagreed on how that factor would come into play.

Click on any series below to get our extensive preview of the series:

With four potentially very close series in the West, our analysts have compiled together their picks and thoughts on each series. While we generally agreed what would be the most important factor in the series, often at times we disagreed on how that factor would come into play. This should be enough for you folks to feast upon and digest until our Eastern picks are up later today.

Click on any series below to get our extensive preview of the series:

I had a strong urge to throw something in the title about the irony of Satan tallying a goal in the shootout to help in the win over the Devils, but I passed on it for your sake.

Like a lot of Western Canadians, the Leafs aren't amongst the top 29 teams on my list of favourite teams. While I like Montreal quite a bit, the Islanders have grown on me a lot since getting Ryan Smyth on their team.

Contest signup is now up for those wanting to enter. It's FREE and it will be fun and competitive. Click here to signup. All you have to do is predict who will win each series and how many games it will take. Then, at the end, you'll predict the score for each Stanley Cup Final game and this will give you an opportunity to catch up to the leaders.

Well, this is certainly a surprise. With all due respect to Alain Vigneault, Claude Julien was firmly at the top my list of those who should win the Jack Adams award this year. Generally the award goes to the coach of the most improved team or to the coach who does the most with the least. Obviously the Canucks have been much improved, but it’s not as if they were a complete and utter failure last season, and now Vigneault has them a handful of points ahead of the competition in the race for the division title.

It is with my pleasure to announce the Towel Power Playoff Predict the Score Contest, which will begin shortly in the next couple of days.

The top prize of this small contest will be a $50 gift certificate to Authentix (Canucks merchandise!) or Shark Club, depending on preference. Also, because some people are NOT Canucks fans and this is open to all NHL fans, I can work out something else for you depending on your location and preferences.