Stan Fishler's Pick For Western Conference Champion Is...

Editor's note: Stan Fishler is the Gordie Howe of hockey media.

With the same amazing longevity, Stan's version of the Howe Hat Trick is scoring more than 100 hockey books, assisting countless journalists get their start, and throwing a sharp elbow when necessary in thousands of entertaining, insightful columns and broadcasts.

"The Maven," still sharing wisdom for THN, is a legend I'm honored to call a friend.

For the next several mornings, we'll be featuring video excerpts from our extended conversation with Stan Fischler. Some will be Kraken-specific, some not.

The reason: when you have the chance to interact with a U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer, Lester Patrick winner, and man with a press level named after him at the Islanders' UBS Arena, you soak up as much knowledge as time allows.

In today's Kraken Reaction , Stan picks the Dallas Stars to overcome the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Finals, which kick off Thursday night.