NHL Playoffs Western Conference Picks: The Hunters

The San Jose Sharks and The Colorado Avalanche


From the mountains down to the sea must this new generation of young travelers traverse. There were many who doubted: "They're too young," "Another lost year for Colorado," "Not Enough Talent," but they persevered against all odds. However now they have grown weary from their long journey, and there is still much farther to go. They must be wary not to walk right into the jaws of their new foe. The seas are treacherous and they know not where these sharks might attack.

Down below the depths plagued by years of disappointment there is new hope. The Sharks grow stronger every year, but whenever forced out of their element their gills dry up and their bellies grow hungry and they flail around until someone puts them out of their misery. Now they have been given an early offering, possibly a gift from the gods. A sacrifice. Maybe they had gone about it wrong in previous years, forcing themselves out to strike at ducks and stars. Why not let their prey come to them? Could this be the year of great feeding? Only time will tell.
Sharks in 5.


The Chicago Blackhawks and The Nashville Predators

The tribes of Chicago will not rest. Loose but a little eager, they are ready for the hunt. Still there is a patience a sense of ease. They must remain methodical and fierce, two properties that they balance so well. Their eye is on the prize, their bows are drawn, they remain still, ready to strike.

The Predators will hold their ground. Once the hunters reveal themselves, the beasts will know where they are and be able to strike. Then who becomes the hunted? The stand off begins, each clan strong and intelligent and most of all patient. One wrong move could bring a gruesome end to the Blackhawks. But at the same time, if the Predators wait too long, their heads will become the trophies of Chicago as they move on to bigger and nastier prey. The Blackhawks have the initiative, this is their fight to lose.

Blackhawks in 6.


The Vancouver Canucks and The Los Angeles Kings

Decadent in a town of dreams these Kings remain fierce and territorial. They hold their lands tight and with little yield. There are young Kings and old Kings, but their force is underestimated. And after years of little ambition, content with the playful opulence of the City of Angels, they have grown tired of games. Maybe it's time for some Kings to do some conquering.

But who is this in their way? A cry comes down from the north, "Oh you want to try at winnin' for once eh? Getting a little upitty eh? Tired of your tinsel town eh?" The taunts echoed throughout the land. Who else could it be but a bunch of stinking Canucks? Led by two Nordic twins and a giant to back them all up. The chiding sunk into the Kings' bones and a look of fierce determination took them over, who did these jokers think they were? Treating Kings like babes. It was time to put their skills and hearts to the test, but there was something about the grins on the Canucks faces that caused the Kings unease.

Kings in 7.


The Phoenix Coyotes and The Detroit Red Wings

Scorching winds cut across the desert, carrying sharp wisps of coarse sand. The Coyotes look out into the distance at the machine making its way over the horizon. They stick to the pack, always stronger together never to far from each other. Others who had come to their lands had been picked apart slowly but this was something much different. This would be a test of their minds as much as a test of their team work.

The hive-mind of combined machines rolled smoothly over the desert sands bent for destruction. Many had thought the gears to corroded, the parts too old and hoped that this might be its last days as it sputtered away unnecessary fuel and fell apart. But instead the machine had recently been well oiled, old parts junked for brand new technology. Now the machine seemed just as powerful as ever crawling across the desert sands of phoenix, oblivious of its surroundings, with one goal: to win.

The only chance these Coyotes had was to find the weakest part and exploit it, maybe from there they could cause some sort of malfunction and cause the machine to fall apart, but time was running out. However, these Coyotes were resilient, smart and new how to persevere, can they solve the machine before it is too late?

Red Wings in 6