A look at the NHL's Western Conference playoff matchups:

NO. 1 SAN JOSE SHARKS vs. NO. 8 ANAHEIM DUCKS

Records: San Jose 53-18-11--117, Ducks 42-33-7--91

Season series: San Jose, 4-2.

Leading scorers: Sharks: Joe Thornton 25-61--86. Ducks: Ryan Getzlaf 25-66--91.

Keys: The Sharks face enormous pressure after several postseason flops. They are No. 1 overall and had the top home record (32-5-4) and are healthy after some injuries. The Ducks rallied from 12th on March 15 to grab their fourth consecutive playoff berth. Goalie Jonas Hiller was yanked in the finale, creating doubts about their goaltending. Their lack of discipline has hurt because their penalty killing ranked 23rd at 79.7 percent. Look for lots of hitting and emotion. The Sharks should win unless the Ducks start well and the ghosts of past early exits wrap their fingers around the Sharks' throats.

NO. 2 DETROIT RED WINGS vs. NO. 7 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Records: Detroit 51-21-10--112, Columbus 41-31-10--92

Season series: Detroit, 3-2-1.

Leading scorers: Red Wings: Pavel Datsyuk 32-65--97. Blue Jackets: Rick Nash 40-39--79.

Keys: Red Wing fans are worried about their goaltending, and with good reason. Chris Osgood (3.09 goals-against, .887 save percentage) hasn't inspired confidence. But the Red Wings scored a league-leading 295 goals, making up for soft spots like their 25th-ranked penalty killing. The Blue Jackets, making their playoff debut, might be awed against the defending champions. They'll need more out of a power play that was last in the NHL, at 12.7 percent. The Red Wings should prevail in six.

NO. 3 VANCOUVER CANUCKS vs. NO. 6 ST. LOUIS BLUES

Records: Vancouver 45-27-10--100, St. Louis 41-31-10--92

Season series: 2-2-0.

Leading scorers: Canucks: Daniel Sedin 31-51--82. Blues: Brad Boyes 33-39--72.

Keys: Vancouver's big line of twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin and winger Alex Burrows will be crucial. They're fast, skillful and tough to stop. Goalie Roberto Luongo (2.34, .920, nine shutouts in 54 games) can steal games. The Blues had the NHL's best record in the second half of the season (25-9-7) despite being swamped by injuries. Goalie Chris Mason (2.41, .916) led them from 15th to their first playoff berth in four seasons and they ended on a 9-1-1 run. If Andy Murray isn't coach of the year the award should be discontinued. Blues in an upset.

NO. 4 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS vs. NO. 5 CALGARY FLAMES

Records: Chicago 46-24-12--104, Calgary 46-30-6--98.

Season series: Chicago 4-0-0.

Leading scorers: Blackhawks: Martin Havlat 29-48--77. Flames: Jarome Iginla 35-54--89.

Keys: The Blackhawks brought crowds back to the United Center with a young, dynamic team that played solid defense and had a fifth-ranked goals-against average of 2.55. They hit a flat spot in mid-March but awakened in time for a 6-0-1 finish in April. The Flames have been sputtering, losing the Northwest division title to Vancouver and winning only four of their last 10. The Blackhawks should be able to overcome their playoff inexperience. Chicago in five or six.