The NHL season is close to wrapping up like a Christmas present from Santa Claus. The gift that’s given to hockey fans is the start of the playoffs. Here are a few thoughts I have going in:

Chicago Blackhawks

I am telling you, watch out for these guys. Young, energetic, exciting and consistent. That is the Chicago Blackhawks. Duncan Keith has had a Norris-like season and will only continue to excel once the playoffs roll around. The only problem with this team is their goaltending situation. Cristobal Huet would have trouble stopping a beach ball with his play lately, let alone stop a black disk. In order for this team to make a deep run, they need to make Antti Niemi their permanent starting goalie for the playoffs.

San Jose Sharks

Six words. They are going to choke again. This team does this every year. They play amazing hockey for 70 games, struggle for the last 12 games and then lose out in the playoffs.

Detroit Red Wings

This team is proof of what a healthy roster can do. Detroit has struggled with injuries all season and now that they are healthy they are making a real heavy push like a teenager’s foot on the gas pedal. I would be pretty worried if I ended up having to play against this team in the first round.

Washington Capitals

This team has dominated the regular season and will make a deep run in the playoffs. Anything less than an Eastern Conference final appearance will be a disappointment for them. The main reason for this team’s success is the play of “the great eight,” Alex Ovechkin. This guy is a bigger stud than Brad Pitt but too bad he’s uglier than Sarah Jessica Parker, trust me that’s pretty ugly. This team has the same problem as the Blackhawks but when you score five goals a game you could pull Mike Vernon out of retirement, throw him in net, and the Capitals would still win.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Honestly, this year’s playoffs in the Eastern Conference are a two-team race. All the media and broadcasters will finally get their wish, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will meet in the Eastern Finals. The Penguins have the edge in goaltending but the Capitals have more firepower than a double barrel shotgun. This series is going to make for some classic hockey that people are going to be talking about for a long, long time.

Now with the end of the season come the predictions of who is going to win awards. The awards are being held in Las Vegas, which is a bigger joke than Jonathan Toews’ and Patrick Kane’s playoff beards.

Hart Memorial Trophy

For me this pick is as easy as a college student hitting a beer bong. Sidney Crosby far and away this season has carried the Pittsburgh Penguins on his back. No one predicted this guy to have a fifty goal season, which he is on pace for. He has stepped up his defensive game like a fat guy getting ready for a buffet.

Calder Trophy

Usually the rookie forward with the most points is the one that takes home this award. I believe this year that is going to change. Tyler Myers, a defenceman for the Buffalo Sabres, has been the most consistent rookie by a long shot.

James Norris Trophy

Yet again another easy pick for me. Smooth skating Duncan Keith has this locked up no problem. No need to look any farther than his stats. 65 points in 73 games played. Nearly a point a game for a defencemen is unreal. Keith is also plus 18 on the season. Enough said.

Vezina Trophy

This award has many worthy candidates this year. They way I look at this award is to look at the team and see how they would do if this player would go down with injury. The Buffalo Sabres would not even be close to the playoffs if it wasn’t for the play of Ryan Miller this season. Miller is first in save percentage, second in goals against average and fourth in wins. Miller has been more consistent than Ricky Williams hitting the pipe.

Sadly, my time with the Endeavour has come to an end. I would like to thank everyone that has ever read any of my columns. I appreciate you taking your time to read what I have to say. I have enjoyed every minute of writing this column and give my best regards to the Endeavour in its future plans as a newspaper.