The 2010 NHL Western Conference playoffs started on Wednesday, April 14th. Three of the best-out-of seven series have played three games and one series; Chicago vs. Nashville is tied at a one game apiece. Here is an update of each series along with the current odds for each team to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals.
#1 San Jose Sharks (9-2) vs. #8 Colorado Avalanche (14-1)
San Jose was looking to get off to a fast start in these playoffs to erase the memory of last year’s first round loss, but Colorado made them relive the nightmare by taking game one 2-1. The Sharks were able to even the series at one game apiece with a 6-5 OT win in dramatic fashion. Joe Pavelski tied the game up at five with less than a minute to play in regulation and then scored the game winner off a deflection with just .31 second left to play in overtime. The Sharks fell right back into a hole in game three, with the Avalanche coming away with a 1-0 OT win of their own to take a 2-1 edge in the series. Game four is scheduled for tonight in Colorado.
#2 Chicago Blackhawks (21-10) vs. #7 Nashville Predators (18-1)
In a series that got a late start, Nashville continued the trend of game one upsets by beating Chicago in convincing fashion 4-1. The Predators seemed unfazed about playing in their first playoff series erasing a 0-1 deficit by scoring four goals in the third period to secure the win. The Blackhawks bounced back in game two with a 2-0 shutout. Goalie Antti Niemi, who gave up a few soft goals in the first game, looked razor sharp in this one. This series continues tonight with game three in Nashville.
#3 Vancouver Canucks (11-2) vs. #6 Los Angeles Kings (9-1)
Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo made a game saving stop and Mikael Samuelsson scored the game winner in overtime to give the Canucks a 3-2 win in game one. Los Angeles returned the favor when Anze Kopitar scored the game winner 7 ½ minutes into overtime to give the Kings a 3-2 win in game two. As the series shifted to LA, the Kings shocked the favored Canucks in game three by outscoring them 3-1 in the second period on their way to a 5-3 win. The series resumes on Wednesday night with game four in Los Angeles.
#4 Phoenix Coyotes (5-1) vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings (5-1)
With two of the hottest teams in the league coming into these playoffs facing each other in round one, you knew something had to give. Phoenix drew first blood with a 3-2 win in game one. Defenseman Derek Morris was the hero with a goal and two assists. Detroit responded in game two by scoring four goals in the third period to come away with a 7-4 win. The Coyotes recaptured the edge with a 4-2 win in game three. The victory came at a steep price as team Captain Shane Doan injured his upper body crashing into the boards. His status for tonight’s game four in Detroit is still questionable.
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