The first round of the 2001 Stanley Cup Playoffs began on Wednesday. Here is what you had to say about the Western Conference matchups in the first round:

Kings vs. Red Wings
Yeah, the Kings get an extra four games to play!

Eve Valentine
Santa Monica, Calif.

Wings are for real
I love that no one is picking the Wings...They have that look in their eyes that I haven't seen since '98 and the opponents and media are looking beyond the Wings. Big mistake!

Jamison Nowicki
Detroit, Mich.

Kings out of breath
Los Angeles, all things being equal, could give Detroit some small problems. However, the Kings have been busting their hump for the last two months just to climb into the playoff race and squeak into the seeding. They'll be running on empty while every key and role player on Detroit has had rest the last few weeks. Osgood will be ready. Potvin won't. Prediction - Detroit in five.

Nick Fuerth
Tecumseh, Ontario

Wings shots will prevail
We all know this is going to be a tough battle for both teams. Detroit is the favorite, but we all know how well Felix Potvin has been playing. Detroit is better in every way the game is played, but I am looking at Potvin stealing a game or two, narrowly. But that is as far as it will go. The Wings are just too good, and can beat any goaltender because they put so many quality shots on net, sooner or later one will go in.

Brad Sowerby
Clinton Twp, Mich.

Stars vs. Oilers
It's all on the Edmonton Oilers to win this series, because the Stars aren't going to lose it. Now you tell me why the Edmonton Oilers are going to win...You can't. Stars are going to win series in five because like last year and the year before they are a superior team all around.

James Pittman
Austin, Texas

I believe the Stars are playing at such a high level right now. Eventhough the Oilers are a great team and might make a good series, I believe the Stars have too much depth and grit on their team. I also believe the Stars have something to prove to the league. What you ask? Getting the Cup back where it belongs...

Dave Dosser
Dallas, Texas

I think the Oilers are going to win against the Stars in the opening round because they have a ton of speed, grit in the form of Mike Grier, Sean Brown, and Georges Laraque, and they have some good veterans who can provide leadership for this team. They also have a heated rivalry with Dallas, after battling them for the past couple years in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs. I think Dallas is too old, and if the series goes into 6 or 7 games, the youth of Edmonton will prevail.

Bill Vernold
East Branch, N.Y.

Stars are going to win because they step up in big games. I don't understand why people are doubting the Stars. They have been playing their best hockey, and when they play their best no one can beat them.

Brandon Middleton
College Station, Texas

Oilers in seven. The reasons why, speed, determination, youth, toughness and to prove to the upper echelon that they deserve to be once again considered among the elite. The Oilers have the ability to make a seven-game series seem like three full rounds to an aging team. I believe that what the Oilers lack in offensive skill they more than make up for in punishing determination!

Sean
Edson, Alberta

Canucks vs. Avalanche
The Avs have way too much firepower for the Canucks, even if Vancouver was healthy. And they are not. No Markus Nasland, no Andrew Cassels for the first two games, no advance. And take a look at Vancouver's goalie situation. It's either the unimpressive rookie Dan Cloutier or the well-traveled Bob Essensa. Neither one has a save percentage above .900. Vancouver can still bring some physical play, but that's about it. Colorado in 4.

Phil Vogels
Littleton, Colo.

The Colorado Avalanche will beat out the Vancouver Canucks in the first round because the Canucks simply don't have the experience or the talent to match Colorado. I think it will go five games. The upside for the Canucks is that they will gain experience which will help them in the long run.

Greg Harvey
Lumpy, B.C.

I would have to say that the series between the Canucks and Avalanche will be the most exciting in the first round. The Canucks have faced so much adversity with all of their injuries they still made the playoffs. Now will be the time for the young players to shine.

Sam
Vancover, B.C.

It has taken Vancouver five years to make it back into the playoffs. With a younger, newer team this franchise has the determination and strive to try their best to go all the way. With the fans support boosting their confidence and moral, the Vancouver Canucks definately will give it their all to make it as far as they can. Hopefully this will mean that Vancouver will bring home the Stanley Cup! GO CANUCKS!

Leanne Ashton
Vancover, B.C.

Sharks vs. Blues
I think St.Louis is going to win in seven games. This will be a good series because the Blues are not going to let the Sharks beat them again, although Roman Turek is very inconsistant he will let in a lot of soft goals, but if he goes into the playoffs hot the Blues will be going to the second round.

Phil Lombardo
St. Louis, Missouri

I agree with all of the analysis on the Sharks and Blues series, except for one thing. Call it blindness created by team pride if you want to, but I say Team Teal in seven.

Matthew Nill
San Jose, Calif.

San Jose over St. Louis in seven games. I think the Sharks are the grittier team, and with the addition of Teemu Selanne, they can score goals off the less than 100 percent Blues defense. Plus the Sharks have Evgeni Nabokob in net while the Blues have Roman Turek, I take Nabby any day of the week.

David Brunschon
San Mateo, Calif.

This is the most solid team that San Jose has put together in their ten-year history. Fifth seed is also the highest seeding they have ever had. These numbers, along with the history of San Jose's first-round upsets leaves very little room for St. Louis to come out of this series on top.

Brad Miller
Boulder, Colo.

I believe the Blues will win because they are healthy. They have had a rough year, but are now completely heathly. The major reason why they lost last year was bad luck and they were missing Pavol Demitra.They will beat a team on a mission against San Jose, and Roman Turek and the team will build confidence from that series, something Turek has been lacking since the playoffs last year.

Russell Brewer
Phoenix, Ariz.