Colorado needs 1 pt to finish in 6th spot and play the Wild, in the first round. If I were them, that's what I would want. I don't think any team looks forward to playing San Jose in these playoffs. They have been white-hot and present so many challenges with speed, size puck control and goaltending.
Minnesota is no push-over either. Gaborik is a better scorer than ever and his all-around game has pleased even his coach, Jacques Lemaire, who has pushed and prodded him to be a complete player. Brent Burns has given them some offense from the back end and they are strong at center, with Miko Koivu as an all-purpose guy who can play against the league's best centers and win. The gap between him and his brother doesn't exist anymore. Goaltending is not an issue, especially the way the Wild play team defense.
Having said all that, I still think Colorado has a better chance against the Wild. So many games will be decided by 1 goal in these playoffs, so the presence of Peter Forsberg on a continuous basis, is imperative. Is that possible ???
First round match-ups are a sign of destiny. Many strong teams have bit the dust early because their fate was to play an "uncomfortable" opponent in the first round. Every team builds momentum and confidence exponentially, with each series victory. Playing your most dreaded opponent after a series win, or two, is much easier to swallow. I know the Dallas Stars have a good record against Anaheim this season, But I can't imagine they feel "comfortable" with seeing them at the start.
Winning the Cup is a battle of attrition. No team is completely healthy, even now .... and they certainly will not be at the end. Who gets hurt, how many get hurt and for how long, are ultimately the biggest deciding factors that none of us can know at this point. Picking the winner is a crap-shoot.
Fate is always the winner.
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