The playoffs are set, & I feel good

Wow - it certainly looks good seeing Edmonton up on the second round chart for the first time in recent memory (since 1998, to be exact). I really like Edmonton's chances in the second round vs. the Sharks; the Oilers went 3-1 vs. San Jose during the regular season. To be honest, though, I'm not taking the Sharks lightly - this will be a long series, and it could certainly go either way. There are two players on the Oilers who will determine if they reach the conference finals or not - Oilers Goalie Dwayne Roloson (below left), and Edmonton Defenseman Chris Pronger (below right).

Pronger was an absolute beast on the ice in the first round, averaging over 37 minutes per game vs. Detroit. To say that he was the best player of the series on either team would be a wild understatement. He will be the Oilers' most important skater in this series. With the likes of Joe Thorton and Jonathan Cheechoo, he will have plenty to keep him busy.

Dwayne Roloson got Edmonton to the second round, no question. His very solid .929 save percentage in round one vs. the best team in the NHL during the regular season wildly exceeded most everyone's expectations, this Oiler maniac included. It's safe to say the Oilers will go as far as Roli the goalie can carry them. What I like about him is that he's consistently gotten better since he played his very first game in Oiler silks (ironically, a 5-2 loss vs. San Jose in March). He really found his mojo during the last 5-6 games of the regular season, and he didn't have one bad game in round one. That's critical in the playoffs. Nothing can kill momentum like a soft goal that kills a team's momentum, costing a team a game and maybe even the series. Philly fans, take note here. Quick aside: I'm still puzzled by Ken Hitchcock's decision to go with Esche for the playoffs. Clearly, Antero Niittymaki is the goalie of the future in Philadelphia.

So, on to my non-shocker series prediction: The Oilers in six. Hey, at least I'm in good company - many people are picking the Oilers to win this series, including espn.com's Scott Burnside.

I have to confess to being awfully disappointed that the Battle of Alberta didn't come to fruition. It's been 15 long years since the Oilers have faced their hated rival in the playoffs. Hopefully next year. Advancing deep in the playoffs is always just a little sweeter when the Oilers stampede Calgary. The Flames were up 3-2 in the series. They lost the deciding game in the Saddledome, where they were all but invincible during the regular season. Well, at least we know what the "C" stands for on a Calgary jersey...