NHL Playoffs 2012: Experienced Teams That Will Not Be Easily Beaten

Experience counts for a lot in hockey. More so, perhaps, than it counts in any other sport.

So here's a hint: With the Stanley Cup playoffs scheduled to begin today, you're going to want to keep an eye on the more experienced teams in the field. All of them are a threat to do some damage.

There are five teams in particular that come to mind.

Let's count 'em down.

Note: For a complete look at the NHL's schedule for the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, B/R's Mike Chiari has you covered.

5. Chicago Blackhawks

It feels a little odd to refer to the Blackhawks as "experienced."

A couple of the team's key stars—including Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toew— are still in their 20s. The Blackhawks have more than a few guys whose careers are just getting started.

What makes the Blackhawks experienced, of course, is the run they went on in 2010. They finished second in the Western Conference and went on to win the Stanley Cup against the Philadelphia Flyers.

But, that's not the extent of what makes this club experienced.

When all was said and done, the Blackhawks went through a very tough season last year, and barely ended up qualifying for the playoffs. 

In 2010, the Blackhawks were a championship team. In 2011, they were battle-tested.

This year, both experiences will serve them well in the postseason.

4. San Jose Sharks

As they usually are, the San Jose Sharks are heading into the 2012 playoffs with some unfinished business.

The Sharks have made the playoffs in six straights seasons. In their last two trips, they made it all the way to the conference finals before bowing out.

The Sharks have lost some pieces over the years, but still have many of the same players who were around to soak in all the recent disappointments.

This is a San Jose team that's well aware of its recent history.

The Sharks didn't look like a battle-tested team for much of the season, but certainly started playing like one when it mattered. They finished with a much-needed hot stretch, ultimately clinching a playoff sport in their second-to-last game of the season.

After watching the Sharks go on that run, you had better believe they have the attention of the rest of the field.

3. Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks finished with the top record in the Western Conference this season, and they're a team that should scare every other team in the playoffs.

Vancouver brings a lot of experience to the table.

The Sedin twins have been around for a long time, and so has veteran goalie Robert Luongo. They've seen a lot of highs and a lot of lows, and so have other players on Vancouver's roster.

Last season brought both highs and lows.

The Canucks were on top of the world when they made it to the Stanley Cup finals, and then sunk to new lows when the team lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games. The city of Vancouver did not help matters by going crazy after the Canucks lost.

Nonetheless, that experience will serve the Canucks well in the playoffs. They have the talent to get back to the finals, and know the way there from experience.

2. Boston Bruins

The team that beat the Canucks in the Stanley Cup finals last season also has them beat in terms of experience.

The Bruins have a good mix of veterans and youngsters, and all of them work together to form a team that's as balanced as any in the league. Veterans like Zdeno Chara and Tim Thomas play huge roles, with the latter being the defending Conn Smythe winner.

What's remarkable about the Bruins' championship run last year was what it took to cap it all off.

The Bruins played three series that went seven games, including both the conference finals and the Stanley Cup finals. They had to climb out of an 0-2 hole to beat the Canucks.

Although they underachieved this season, the Bruins are a scary team because of the gauntlet they ran last year.

Boston was put to the test, and they passed.

1. Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings' victory in the 2008 Stanley Cup finals feels like a long time ago, but there are still a few players on Detroit's roster that well remember it.

Several championship holdovers still remain on the team's roster.

Pavel Datsyuk (33) is still around, as are Nicklas Lidstrom (41), Henrik Zetterberg (31) and Tomas Holmstrom (39). This year's Red Wings squad seems relatively weak compared to recent teams, but still have a chance as long as those guys remain healthy.

The key question concerning the Red Wings in the postseason is whether they'll be able to conquer their road woes.

Detroit won just 17 games on the road during the regular season.

If Detroit can win on the road, it will be because the veterans will have led the way, and that's when we'll know for sure that this Red Wings team is dangerous.

Indeed, they're dangerous enough as is.