Whoever predicted Ottawa, Columbus, Edmonton and Chicago would be in the final four of the WCHL playoffs had better have played the lottery. In a weird season where pre-season cup favorites like Colorado and Calgary didn't even make the playoffs, every round has claimed a likely candidate for the WCHL Cup.

Now as we enter round three, not only will there be an end to the two-time cup reign of the Anaheim Ducks, there will be a first time ever champion. All four clubs that are left standing have never won a cup title. Some have never even been this far into the playoffs.

What's in story for the four Cinderella's? Well there can only be one queen of this ball.

(1) Edmonton Oilers vs. (6) Chicago Blackhawks- In this extremely inconsistent season, the one consistency has been the Oilers. All season long they have been one of the best squads in the league and they have only improved as the playoffs have gone along. Round one they lined up against the eighth seeded Arizona Coyotes and they stormed out to a 3-0 lead before winning in five games. Round two against the seventh seeded Dallas Stars, Edmonton won the first three games before winning in five games. Round three is against the sixth seeded Blackhawks. Is it going to deja vu all over again?

Chicago has been battling hard to even get a whiff of the playoffs for several years and now that they are here they have shown they didn't just fluke their way to the big tournament. The Hawks didn't have an easy mission either, doing what no team has done in over two seasons and 10 post-season series; defeating the two-time defending WCHL Cup champions in seven games after being down 3-2. 

Prediction: The Hawks have been as pesky as anyone but the Oilers have been on a big roll all season long. Don't expect Chicago to go away as easily as Dallas and Arizona, but don't expect them to win the series either. Edmonton in six games.

(2) Ottawa Senators vs. (6) Columbus Blue Jackets- The Senators may have finally shaken the burden of being a playoff worthy team that sits in the shadows of the elite of the Eastern Conference. Constantly in the post-season, Ottawa has rarely been in the talks of being a potential cup contender but this season that has changed in a hurry. Arguably the best team still alive, Ottawa not only is in the cup mix, they have the Las Vegas odds to win it all right now.

Columbus meanwhile slayed the giant New York Rangers, besting the Big Apple's finest in six games, allowing just six goals in the process. Having surrendered just 17 goals in 13 games, Columbus is going to be a tough nut to crack for Ottawa. Led by a top-heavy but talented defense that's backed by early Conn Smythe contender Semyon Varlamov, Columbus thrives on low-scoring games. In 13 games that Columbus has played this post-season, there have only been a combined total of 41 goals, just over three goals per game. Columbus is only averaging 1.80 goals per game themselves, so don't expect anyone to shoot out the lights.

Prediction: Ottawa will hold their own with the Blue Jackets but unless it strikes midnight soon the Blue Jackets ill continue to gut out the wins. Columbus in six games.