[noots]

Originally Posted by 7seven

Scotty Bowman also said that Vancouver would likely start the playoffs on Wednesday and commented that the Red Wings probably would like to face the Canucks the least in the 1st round due to time zone difference and having to travel through customs.

here's the article

"You know, you leave Sami Salo back there with all kinds of time to handle the puck and he's going to do something good back there with the shot and the way he can pass. That's where the game is now.

"I wouldn't want to play them [Detroit] because, as you say, [goalie Jimmy] Howard has had five years seasoning and has made 25 straight starts or something.

"I know Detroit doesn't like starting the first round in western Canada, with the long travel and having to go through customs, and with the Vancouver series likely starting Wednesday and going Wednesday-Friday, that leaves one less day to get out there if they end up playing Vancouver.

"They're not going to like that because after Game 2, you can't fly back [home for Game 3] -- you have to stay overnight. Both teams do. So then, Game 3 seems like it's rushed and Detroit will already have made the flight twice.