Youth vs. Experience come playoff time

As the Blackhawks strengthen their grip on the fourth seed in the Western Conference, it's becoming clear that for the first time since 2001-2002, Chicago will see post-season hockey.

At this moment, Chicago is the youngest team in the NHL. That could of course change as roster moves come and go with the March 4 trade deadline, but it won't be too drastic. The Blackhawks will still be a very young team in the playoffs.

How did the younger teams fare in the playoffs last season? And what about those composed of grizzled veterans? Lets take a look.

The Washington Capitals were the sixth youngest team (avg. age 26.98) in the NHL at the end of last season, and the youngest team in the playoffs. They rode 23-year old superstar (and 2007-08 NHL MVP) Alex Ovechkin into the playoffs after posting a 37-17-7 record from Nov. 4 onward. They were the first ever NHL team to make the postseason after being in last place at the halfway point of the season.

In a tough series with the Philadelphia Flyers, the Capitals fell just short. They lost the series 4-3, but won back-to-back elimination games. They lost game seven in double OT. A first round exit for the youngest team in the playoffs.

The next youngest team (avg. age 27.76) in the playoffs (seventh) were the San Jose Sharks. A highly touted second seed with one of the best goalies in the NHL in Evgeni Nabakov; they seemed primed to break their streak of playoff ineptitude and make a run for the Cup. Another surviving a first round scare against the Calgary Flames, the Sharks bowed out in the second.

The jist here, is that young teams do not fare so well in the playoffs. Pittsburgh was the ninth youngest team and made it to the finals, but were thoroughly manhandled by the oldest team in the NHL; the Detroit Red Wings.

In eight out of the 15 playoff matchups, the team with the older average age won.

But I feel the Blackhawks are better than the Sharks and the Caps of the 2008 playoffs. John Buccigross recently wrote, "The Hawks are having an unbelievable season and have a legitimate chance to reach the Stanley Cup finals. (They are that good.) They also could lose in the first round. (They are that young.)"

Personally, I see a second round exit for the Hawks in the playoffs. When it comes down it, especially in the Stanely Cup playoffs, expereince will take you farther than youth.

Hopefully they prove me wrong.

A cluster-f in the West

Just a random note on something that'll no doubt be fun to watch the rest of this NHL season...

Five (yes, 5) teams are tied for the final three playoff spots in the Western Conference. The Dallas Stars, the Minnesota Wild, the Edmonton Oilers, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the Phoenix Coyotes all have 53 points. The Vancuver Canucks, in 11th place, have 52 points.

take a look

If I had to pick right now, I'd say the Canucks are cooked. Five straigt losses, inconsistent play, and the subpar netminding of Roberto Luongo since his return are going to be the anchor that helps them sink deeper into the Western Conference Standings...so they're out.

I'd also cast off the Columbus Blue Jackets. I just don't see them making a significant push, and treading water won't do enough to last in this race.

The Dallas Stars are in. They are hot right now (4 straight wins) and a playoff tested, Avery-less team backed up by Marty Turco is always a safe bet. Two spots left...

The Minnesota Wild are also in. Fantastic (even if it's incredibly boring) defensive hockey and one of the best goalies in the game today are a pair that will have the Wild playing postseason hockey. One more spot to go...

Figuring out this last spot is tough, but I'm going to with the Edmonton Oilers (remind you, these picks are based largely on what I've seen so far, and what's going on at this moment). Phoenix just seems too young. They're fourth (out of 5) in their division, and the home stretch of their shedule is pretty brutal.

There is still a lot of hockey to be played though. 32 or so games left for the majority of teams, and this race is as tight as can be.

Who do you have coming out of this cluster-f?