Hockey Night in CanadaStellicktricity: Canucks to dispose of Kings in 5 games

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Although the intrigue about whether Daniel Sedin returns to the Canuck lineup for Game 1 or soon after is somewhat a moot point. Any which way, he won't be 100 per cent healthy and the Canucks better realize that for the first round against Los Angeles beginning Wednesday night (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 10:30 p.m. ET).

Actually, it is something they realized rather well for the latter part of the regular season as they captured the President's Trophy without him.  It was a team that also seemed to show a bit more grit that last year's version, something that will be sorely put to the test in the playoffs.

I happen to think that the Canucks will dispose of the Los Angeles Kings in five games. I know that Jonathan Quick in the Kings' net has been among the handful of "all world" NHL goaltenders of late, but the Kings' great wealth of talent has not been playing up to their press clippings.

I don't think that will change for the playoffs.

Predators intriguing choice in West

The Nashville Predators seem like a team of playoff intrigue in the West. The additions of Paul Gaustad, Andrei Kostitsyn, and particularly Alexander Radulov, has added unparalleled depth up front.

The downside? (Though hard to believe there could be one). Well, you add three forwards to a team that had been enjoying success and, well, a first-line forward becomes a second-line forward leading all the way to a fourth-line forward finding a new role as a healthy scratch.

The only public hint of discontent was when Jordin Tootoo squawked about being one of those healthy scratches late in the season. If they struggle in the playoffs, the extra hands on deck might not exactly be rowing in the same direction.

Other playoffs notes

• Actually with all the big names and concerns about the health status of the likes of Daniel Sedin, Jonathan Toews and others, one of the more underrated missed players is Darren Helm of the Detroit Red Wings.  The consummate effective "true" Red Wing type player is expected to be back for Game 2 against the Nashville Predators Friday night (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7:30 p.m. ET).
• Good to know that Philadelphia Flyer goaltender Ilya Byrzgalov is only afraid of a "bear in the woods" as opposed to what is normally associated with a bear in the woods.
• Good luck intimidating the Pittsburgh Penguins as well.  I hope it is as intense and close a series as many feel it will be. It remains to be seen if Byrzagalov can finally put an end to Flyers' playoff goaltender flops.
• Not that I am all for Michael Neuvirth being injured. I just think that Washington Capitals coach Dale Hunter has one less decision to make and one less source of possible controversy. It somewhat plagued Bruce Boudreau two years ago when he had to give Jose Theodore the hook when Jaroslav Halak was stoning them. Last year, Boudreau had a gut feel to start Braden Holtby but went with the "safer" choice in Neuvirth. The Caps were eliminated in the second round when Dwayne Roloson put on a performance comparable to Halak from the year earlier. With the injuries to both Neuvirth and Thomas Vokoun, Holtby and his limited NHL experience are all that Hunter is left with for the Playoffs. I think the kid will be a pleasant surprise. Meanwhile, journeyman Dany Sabourin has been recalled as Holtby's backup.
• Another of those injuries that nobody talks much about. That memorable hit late in a November game by Dion Phaneuf (remember his dad sitting with other Leaf dad's in a private box as he roared his approval) on Michael Sauer actually ended Sauer's season. Sauer was a plus-9 in 19 games to date and had been a big part of the Rangers' early season success that continued to them finishing first overall in the Eastern Conference. Give the Rangers credit that this was another of the many significant injuries that they were able to continue to play through and enjoy on ice success.

Only consolation for Leafs

The only consolation that Toronto Maple Leaf fans can derive from their late-season collapse is their unexpected high draft position and the satisfaction that it hasn't already been traded.

The Leafs will select fifth overall in this year's entry draft. Their history of picks in the top five since the modern day draft began in 1969 is:

• 1973 - 4th overall - Lanny McDonald
• 1982 - 3rd overall - Gary Nylund
• 1984 - 4th overall - Al Iafrate
• 1989 - 3rd overall - Scott Thornton

Great having former Leaf Mark Osborne (and Red Wing, Jet, NY Ranger) as part of my rotation of co-hosts for Hockey Night in Canada Radio (weekday afternoons from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. ET, on Sirius 157) for the playoffs.

To show his form of "greatness", Ozzie was a member of the top-scoring line for the Leafs in the 1989-90 season, the "GEM" line with Eddie Olczyk and Gary Leeman. Then three years later, during that great playoff drive in the spring of 1993, he was a key part of their top checking unit with Bill Berg and the late Peter Zezel.

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