Time for Some Quick Hits

Team you’d most like to face in the playoffs: In the West, San Jose. In the East, Ottawa.

The Sharks are listless, sleepwalking to start games. They probably feel no sense of urgency to board the team charter until it’s five minutes before takeoff.

The Senators are having trouble scoring and Pascal Leclaire has been playing net like John LeClair.

Team you’d least like to face in the playoffs: In the West, Detroit and Nashville. In the East, Buffalo.

The Red Wings are relentless, as their recent late-game magic proves. If the NHL compiled pie graphs showing puck possession by team, the Wings would be leaving crumbs on their late most games.

The Predators are a no-nonsense group that just gets the job done. Sometimes it isn’t pretty, but you can’t bicker about the results.

The Sabres are well coached, capable of dictating terms and solid in the back end. Not a trifecta to mess with in spring hockey.

Hart trophy winner: It’s probably Alexander Ovechkin but I don’t think it’s as obvious as Bruce Boudreau thinks it is. C’mon, who figured on Henrik Sedin being in the mix? Or Ilya Bryzgalov, for that matter?

Calder trophy winner: This corner of the bar has been a staunch backer of Matt Duchene of the Avalanche for some time and sees no reason to back down now. But there should be some significant kudos for Tyler Myers of the Sabres.

Jack Adams winner: Sorry, Joe Sacco, you picked the wrong season to make such a fine impression. This is Dave Tippett’s prize all the way.

Biggest disappointments: In the team department, the Calgary Flames and the Anaheim Ducks, teams laden with veterans, built for the here and now, and struggling to get into the playoffs. It won’t be a happy summer in those cities. We’ll include the New York Rangers here, too, if only to pacify Ranger fans who have harbored those unreasonable expectations since October.

Biggest surprises: The Colorado Avalanche and the Phoenix Coyotes. Even the most charitable of observers would have tagged these outfits for rebuilding seasons. Look at ’em now.

A special award to NHL suspensions czar Colin Campbell for thoroughly confusing everyone on how many games a player will receive as punishment for anything. If there was once a baseline penalty for NHL transgressions, it has now gone the way of the rover.