The level of excitement in London going into the OHL playoffs is, well, not quite where it's been the last few years.

Thanks for that Captain Obvious.

What did you expect?

For the first time since 2004, the Knights are entering as something less than favourites. Considering what they've gone through this season with injuries, trades and changeover, finishing fourth was a pretty good accomplishment.

But it just doesn't generate the sizzle the record-breaking, star-studded teams of the past have. It's almost as if the fans are still trying to get to know this team and it's playoff time already.

That said, it wouldn't take long for that to change. A first-round win would heighten expectations for a nice run deep into the playoffs, and start things buzzing quickly.

That's not going to be easy to accomplish. The Knights will have to do it with goaltending they aren't sure about and an offence that doesn't have the firepower to make up for defensive miscues that lead to goals.

It won't help the Knights any that their first-round opponent is the Guelph Storm. Game 1 in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarter-final is Friday at the John Labatt Centre.

Playoff hockey is nothing new to the Storm. They play a playoff style throughout the year. Coach Dave Barr demands it. The Storm don't score a lot of goals but they don't give up many either. They are a well-coached, disciplined team that features a good defence, led by Londoner Drew Doughty, and solid goaltending.

Pond hockey is not something you're going to see from the Storm.

Even high-powered Knights teams of previous years had trouble with Barr-coached squads. Expect nothing different this time around.

None of this is news to Knights coach Dale Hunter. He knows how well Barr prepares his team.

"You have to pay attention as a coach," Hunter said yesterday. "Barr's a very good bench coach. He'll make adjustments during the game when he sees something. You have to watch him because he's good at matchups."

Hunter doesn't mince words when asked about the best way to break down the disciplined Storm.

"You don't break them down," he said. "They won't break down. You have to play as disciplined as they do. You have to be patient and score on scoring opportunities when you get them."

One thing the Knights have to do is get some shots at Storm goaltender Thomas McCollum. The Storm are very good at clearing bodies away so that McCollum sees those shots. Look for the Knights to head to the front of the net as often as possible.

Hunter knows this team is much different than some of the teams he's had in the past. But no matter what kind of team you have, it always comes down to the same thing he says.

"Execution," Hunter said. "You have to execute. In playoffs, it always comes down to the same thing. It's the big blocked shot, the timely goal. It's execution. It's playoff so there isn't anything new about it. You have to play hard and and play defence. If you don't do those two things, you aren't going to win."

Those are two things that the Storm do very well.

Hunter will get his team to play hard. It's playing defence which may be more of an issue.

The teams split their six meetings this year.

In previous playoff season, you knew what you were going to get from the Knights . . . plenty of offence, strong goaltending and great special teams.

This is one playoff series where you won't know what you are going to get until you get it.

It may not do much to ratchet up the excitement level but it will make it interesting.