What a crazy turn of events today, as the Blackhawks could have eliminated themselves with a loss to Detroit but then get all the help they needed from The Minnesota Wild vs the Stars. For the 3rd straight year, Chicago and Vancouver will meet in the playoffs. It's going to be an exciting series given the hate that exists. We will have much more on this over the next few days. Until then, fasten your seat belts, Hawks. It's going to be a rough ride.

**UPDATE** Game 1 airs on CBC Wednesday night at 7:00 PST. Let's get it on!!

Many people have already been creating goofy Kesler photo-bombing incidents so I thought I would throw in a few of my own since I cannot sleep. Enjoy! If you find other ones or create your own feel free to post them in the comments section.

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From a competitive standpoint, it's on!

"I remember watching (Raycroft) when he played for the Bruins 4-5 years ago; he's a good goalie," said Schneider. "It's not going to be easy at all; he's not going to roll over and give the job to me, but I won't roll over and give it to him, either."

Schneider sounds nearly possessed to make the Canucks squad this year. His time is now, after being the AHL goalie of the year and a wall in net to help the Moose reach the Finals last season. I watched him play in those final 2 rounds and it really was a sight to behold. Schneider's speed in movement and reflexes was phenomenal in dire situations, but in general he plays the butterfly style so well that he makes it look easy out there.

Schneider realizes that Roberto Luongo is the man in Vancouver and is aware that he is potential trade bait, but that doesn't put him into a state of mediocrity to fight for the backup spot. He pushes himself further. He wants to be better than Luongo. He wants to become a starting goalie in the NHL.

It's great having Andrew Raycroft here. It just adds that extra motivation for Schneider.

There's so much talk about whether or not to trade the kid. Let's just see how he fares in training camp and in preseason games first. I have a feeling we are going to see something special from him.

More from Schneider here (worth the read).

(Yes, I've been playing too much Mike Tyson's Punch-Out lately). Well, you can too.

Kyle Wellwood, tired of the fat jokes, eats rice all summer long to keep his physique up to snuff. Unfortunately O'Brien forgot to toss him a steak once in a while and Kyle turned back into a leaf (in the wind). Or a waif.

No Canucks news makes Zanstorm a very bored man. So bring on the Photoshop!

Wellwood's arbitration hearings will commence this week. We will know soon what the going price for Wood is. Where the hell is he in all of this? I haven't heard a peep from the guy all summer. Maybe he's laying on a cot with Mats in Sweden talking about the good old days. Perhaps he's repeatedly riding the slide in the kids' play area at McDonald's somewhere. I have no clue.

(Hey, there's two more Photoshop ideas right there.)

That would be damned funny. Not happening though. Kesler is whipped.

"I've got my linemates telling me to shave my head to match them," Kesler said, referring to cue-ball domed teammates Pavol Demitra and Mats Sundin. "But I don't know if my wife would like that very much."

Oh c'mon man, DO IT!

Canucks.com has the serious actual photo gallery of the Canucks' flight and practice here. Oh, and Mats Sundin has been sick for a week. Maybe that's why he looks a little slow out there...he's behind the play wiping his nose.