The first round of the Western Conference playoffs in the NHL were exciting, but did not have all the upsets that littered the Eastern Conference. Every series but one was won by the higher seed in six games.
Also, three of the top four seeds advanced in the Western Conference. The one series that went to a seventh game in the West was the four seed versus five seed matchup.
In that series the Phoenix Coyotes, a franchise that is bankrupt and had questions swirling about what will happen to the team, pushed the Detroit Red Wings to the brink. The Red Wings were able to prevail over the feel good story Coyotes, blasting Phoenix at home in Game Seven 6-1.
After a batting through a grueling seven game series, what is the Red Wings reward in round two? They get to play the No. 1 seed San Jose Sharks.
The Sharks bounced back this postseason after losing in the first round as the No. 1 seed last season. In the other second round Western Conference playoff series, two exciting offensive teams will face each other.
Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Bryan Flynn