The Playoffs are here!

NHL teams

Nothing in sports compares to the NHL playoffs. In next eight weeks we will see who is the baddest of them all!

Detroit will begin their first Stanley Cup defense in 42 years after winning it all last year. The Red Wings have a good chance to be the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions since 1991-92 Penguins.

The New Jersey Devils won the East convincingly are hungry to return to the top. Philadelphia Flyers, lead by Eric Lindros and John LeClair are starting to feel the pressure. The fans expect Flyers to bring back the Cup. Eric Lindros' leadership skills are a big questionmark, again.

The team with the biggest pressure is the Dallas Stars. The team won the Presidents Trophy with the most points in regular season and will have home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. But last year's "oil spill", losing to the Oilers in the first round, looms big in everyone's mind. Can Modano & co. exorcise the ghosts of yesteryear.

There are few surprises in this year's playoff picture. Most notable is the absence of the Chicago Blackhawks. The team missed the playoffs for the first time in 28 years. Also teeing off early are underachieving Vancouver Canucks and the New York Rangers. Expect heads to roll and changes to take place in both cities in off-season.