Who will step up to provide offensive support for Ilya Bryzgalov? (Creative Commons - Bridget Samuels)

Dave Dulberg takes a look at six pressing questions heading into the NHL Playoffs, continuing with state versus country:

4. Who will advance further in the postseason: a California team (Kings, Sharks, Ducks) or a Canadian team (Canucks, Canadiens)?

While the West Coast deserves props for sending more teams to the postseason than our friendly neighbors up north, no team in this five-squad bunch is nearly as talented as the Vancouver Canucks.

Aside from the fact they owned the league’s best record with 115 points, the President’s Trophy award-winners are more than just a sexy regular season team ala Washington last year.

Coupled with the Sedin twins, who finished with a combined 198 points this season, Vancouver is led by potential MVP candidate, center Ryan Kesler. Beyond the 41 goals and 32 assists he tallied this season, Kesler personified the two-way hockey player, notching over 100 hits this season, while also playing on both the power play and penalty killing units.

Throw in one of the best goaltenders in the world between the pipes with Roberto Luongo (38 wins, 2.11 GAA and a save percentage of 92.8) and it’s hard to argue that the Cup may be heading home to Lord Stanley’s Park in British Columbia this season.

Be sure to check back for the final two NHL Playoff questions.

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