Here is a look at the Western Conference matchups and my predictions:
1. Vancouver vs 8. LA Kings - The reigning President's Trophy winners are set for another trip to the Stanley Cup finals, and their quest starts with a series with the pesky Kings. The Canucks are the heavy favourites in this one, as they are riding two hot goalies in Luongo and Schnieder and are capable of getting back to finals. However, the Kings stand in their way and they will do whatever it takes for the upset. The Kings are loaded upfront with names like Kopitar, Richards, Brown, Carter, Gagne and more, as well as Vezina candidate Jon Quick in net. If anyone can do it, Quick is one goalie capable of stealing a series and an upset could be in the making.
Players to Watch: VAN - Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Ryan Kesler, Kevin Bieksa, Roberto Luongo. LAK - Mike Richards, Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty, Jon Quick, Slava Voynov
Prediction - Jon Quick is capable of stealing a series, the Kings will win
(KINGS in 6)
2. St. Louis vs 7. San Jose - This is the first time in many years that she Sharks are not favourites in a first round playoff series, and it could play in their advantage. However, beating the Blues isn't going to be particularly easy especially considering the Sharks were 0-4 against them this year. The Blues are led by Coach Ken Hitchcock, with two competing #1 goalies in Brian Elliot and Jaroslav Halak. Throw in forwards Perron, Backes, Oshie, Arnott etc and first line d pair Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo, and the Blues are one of the deepest teams in the league (forwards especially). The Sharks have had playoff success in the last few years, but don't have as deep a team as they had in the past. There will be lots of pressure on forwards Thornton, Marleau, Couture, Pavelski and Clowe as well as Dan Boyle and Brent Burns on d too get through the Blues defensive trap and score goals. Antii Niemi has won a cup before, and is capable of leading the Sharks to an upset
Players to Watch: STL - David Backes, TJ Oshie, Alex Pietrangelo, David Perron, Andy McDonald. SJS - Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Dan Boyle, Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau.
Prediction - While the Sharks are capable of pulling the upset, the Blues are too strong to lose first round
(BLUES in 7)
3. Phoenix vs 6. Chicago - Much like Florida, Phoenix is heading into the playoffs riding their first ever division title. The Coyotes play the most boring defensive trap in the NHL, but it is efficient in shutting high-powered offenses down. While the Coyotes are strong on D and with Mike Smith in net, they will have their hands full with the Hawks talent upfront. A healthy Jonathan Toews leads the way for Chicago, along with Kane, Sharp, Hossa, Bolland and Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook on D. The biggest question for the Hawks is in net, as Corey Crawford will be the starter but will have a short leash if he doesn't perform (Ray Emery is waiting). This might not be the most exciting series, but it will be a physical one and not short of entertainment
Players to Watch: PHX - Shane Doan, Radim Vrbata, Ray Whitney, Keith Yandle, Mike Smith. CHI - Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith
Prediction - Much like New Jersey, the Hawks will pull the "upset" as the #6 seed
(BLACKHAWKS in 6)
4. Nashville vs 5. Detroit - Much like Philly/Pitt in the east, the 4 vs. 5 matchup in the West is by far the most anticipated. The Red Wings are built for the playoffs, everyone knows the names such as Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franzen, Lidstrom etc. However, they will have their hands full with a deep Nashville team, especially goalie Jimmy Howard. The Predators might not be the most talented upfront (Radulov, Fisher, Kostitsyns, Hornqvist), but they are stacked on D with Weber, Suter, Gill and in net with Pekka Rinne. Both teams are extremely talented, and there is one major cup contender out after this series. While in the past everyone would be saying all Detroit, it is not the case this year and this series could go either way. A lot of pressure will be on goalies Pekka Rinne and Jimmy Howard to keep their teams in it, and it will surely be a fantastic series
Players to Watch: NSH - Shea Weber, Alex Radulov, Ryan Suter, Pekka Rinne, Mike Fisher. DET - Pavel Datsyuk, Niklas Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Valteri Filppula.
Prediction - This series can go either way, but the Wings find themselves outmatched by Rinne and co.
(PREDS in 6)
This would have St. Louis (2), Nashville (4), Chicago (6) and Los Angeles (8) moving on.
The matchups would look the following:
2. St. Louis vs 8. Los Angeles and 4. Nashville vs 6.Chicago
The quest for Lord Stanley starts tonight! The best time of the year!
WHO WILL IT BE THIS YEAR?
-Joel Forman - Colorado Avalanche News (PLAYOFF EDITION)
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