The Hamilton Bulldogs open up the 2010 playoffs on Thrusday when they will face the Manitoba Moose. The Dogs finished second overall in the league in points and in back to back seasons were 2nd in the league in wins, as the Dogs have won 101 games over that span.

What a year it's been for Hamilton and rookie Head Coach Guy Boucher, as the club was able to break or tie 37 club and league records (broke 31, tied 6), including most points on the road (61), most points by a Dogs team (115), most points in a season by a player (Desharnais 78 in 60 games), most goals by a defensemen (Subban 18) and they just missed the league record for wins on the road by one game with 27. In addition, Coach Guy Boucher was named the Coach of the Year, PK Subban was to the 1st Team All Star while Cedrick Desjardins was named to the 2nd Team All Star.

For many of the Bulldogs, it will be a chance at redemption after last years disappoiting 1st round exit at Grand Rapids, as several of the clubs top players were rookies this time last year. Ryan White, David Desharnais, Brock Trotter, Cedrick Desjardins, JT Wyman, among others were all rookies last year but currently all play major roles on the team and will likely continue to do so when the playoffs get underway.

Many Hab fans will be keeping an eye out for PK Subban who had one of the best first seasons in the AHL that any Hab prospect has had in some time. Along with being a 1st team All Star, he broke or tied the team record for goals, assits, points, power play goals and plus minus. (18-35-53-+46) A long playoff run could be good for the Habs top prospect, to help him get ready for a strong camp in the fall as he looks to make the NHL full time next year.

The Dogs will be expected to continue to play strong at both ends of the ice as the roll a balanced attack with a solid blueline, a All Star goalie between the pipes and the Coach of the Year behind the bench. The team has had trouble getting the PP going at the end of the season, but when you have Desharnais, Trotter, Subban, and others out there, it's only a matter of time before someone gets one. Russell, Wyman, Bishop and Massé will give the team solid defensive play from their forwards and all of them are tough to outwork on any given night.

On the injury front, it's unknow if Max Pacioretty will be ready to go by game 1 as he reinjured himself twice, so the team may look to give him more time to heal unless the team gets off to a slow start. It's also unknown if Curtis Sanford will be ready to go for the 1st round, but the Dogs are in good hands with Desjardins who has won a Memorial Cup and ECHL Championship while being one of the best goalies in the league this year. Mathieu Carle is likely out for the entire playoffs, and Eric Neilson has had recurring back issues but his spot can be filled by Andrew Conboy. There's also no word on the Habs latest signee out of the NCAA, Brendon Nash who after being signed had to finish his exams at Cornell, it's unknown if he will be joining the team at some point or wait until camp in the fall.