Here are my Western Conference predictions for the 1st round of the playoffs:
(1) Dallas Stars v (WC2) Minnesota Wild
Prediction: Stars in 5
I like the Stars in this series and I don't think it'll be particularly close.
Despite sub par goaltending all season, and Tyler Seguin missing the stretch run, the Stars still managed to win by far the most competitive division in hockey.
Seguin is practicing and shouldn't miss much more time (if any) while the Wild have a big injury concern of their own as Zach Parise is dealing with serious back issues.
I like the Stars a lot in this series regardless but if Parise is out - or can't play to the level we're accustomed to seeing - I think they'll make things short and sweet.
(1) Anaheim Ducks v (WC1) Nashville Predators
Prediction: Ducks in 6
Remember when the Ducks sat near the bottom of the league standings on December 1st? Good times.
Since that point the Ducks have been as good as anyone and put themselves in position to steal the division title on the last day of the season as a result.
They allowed fewer goals than any team in hockey this season and their offense, at least in the 2nd half, has been as good as we all expected.
The Predators are a very good team - they have a few high-end forwards and a deep blue line - but I think their goaltending will be a big problem in this series.
Pekka Rinne has a .908 save percentage on the year, which ranks well below league average, and struggled mightily down the stretch posting a sub .900SV% in each of his final five starts.
Whether the Ducks go with John Gibson or Frederik Andersen they have the advantage in goal, and I think the rest of their team is too deep and too talented not to get by the Preds.
(2) St. Louis Blues v (3) Chicago Blackhawks
Prediction: Blues in 7
Every year the Blues have a very good team and bow out early in the playoffs. I have yet to be surprised (I always picked against them) but this year things are different.
First and foremost I think this Blues team is a little deeper and more talented than teams we've seen in the past. With the emergence of Robby Fabbri and Colton Parayko they have another layer of skill beyond the high-end guys who have been around for years.
The Blackhawks, for whatever reason, haven't been all that great this season. They have posted very pedestrian possession numbers all year and actually finished with a negative goal differential at 5 v 5.
What has kept them afloat, so to speak, is an excellent power play and great goaltending from Corey Crawford.
The Blues have been much better at 5 v 5 and given that most of every game is spent in that game state, especially come playoff time, I have to go with St. Louis.
(2) Los Angeles Kings v (3) San Jose Sharks
Prediction: Sharks in 7
I honestly have no idea who will win this series but my gut says the Sharks and, well, you always have to trust your instincts.
The Sharks have been extremely good on the road this season so I don't think not having home-ice is a big issue. They also have Joe Thornton playing Hart Trophy-caliber hockey and one of the most prolific offensive blue liners in the game in Brent Burns.
Both teams are fantastic at even-strength, both teams have elite centers, both teams have Norris Trophy candidates on the back end. This series could really go either way but...Sharks in 7.
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