The playoffs so far have been full of surprises in some cases, and totally predictable in others.  I have to eat a little crow, as I'm the one back in December who predicted the Sharks would take the Cup.  I've been called all kinds of names for it, but I'm a big girl and crow is okay barbecued.

Just kidding.

The playoffs have settled into the usual stuff, and I've noticed it's the same as it always is.  Everyone gets excited and pumped up for the last games of the regular season, then when round one kicks off, again, we all watch, cheering on our favorite teams and swearing at the ones we hate.  By the end of the first round, heading into the second, yes, we still want to know how the teams we love are faring, but we don't sit glued to the TV or computer the way we did.  The weather has improved and people want to get outside.  Besides, Sports Centre shows replays and recaps, all day long.  Of course, if a series is a true battle and the games are exciting, people DO watch.

Of course, last night's games, with Ovi and Sid the Kid both getting hat tricks, were barnburners, and both of the games tonight promise to be battles.  Chicago hosts the Vancouver Canucks in the first game.  Vancouver will be without Sami Salo and Pavol Dimitra is "questionable".  The loss of these two producers coming off Vancouver's first loss of the playoffs has fans and players alike concerned.  In my neck of the woods, many of the Calgary Flames flags have been replaced by Canucks banners as Canadians everywhere cheer for the last Canadian team left in the playoffs. 

Chicago is strong at home and the loss of Salo will be a tough one for the Canucks.  The Blackhawks will capitalize, no doubt, on Dusin Byfuglien's size and ability to make Robert Luongo struggle when he is around.  The Blackhawks were also missing three key players during Monday's skate, but all three, Ladd, Walker and Pahlsson are expected to play tonight.

The Detroit Red Wings, defending champions, also find themselves in a bit of a surprising position, tied with the Ducks after two games.  Of course, the Wings also have injuries, namely Brian Rafalski and Kris Draper, both out with "upper body injuries".  The Ducks seem to have found a way to stop Hossa, Zetterberg and Datsyuk from getting to the goal, and of course, having Hiller between the pipes is a huge advantage.  Anaheim was able to win the second game of the series, but they won't catch Detroit by surprise again.  The question is whether the Wings will be able to get past the Ducks' defence and if they do, can they get the puck past Hiller more often than Getzlaf, Ryan, and Perry can past Osgood. 

Sunday's game was a marathon, going 3 periods of OT before Anaheim scored, tying the series.  The Ducks have home town advantage tonight and it will be noisy.  

Don't forget your picks, and chat it up here or on the game pages.  Enjoy the games.

8pm ET
Vancouver Canucks @ Chicago Blackhawks

10:30 pm ET
Detroit Red Wings @ Anaheim Ducks