Monday, April 14, 2014

NHL Western Conference Playoffs Preview

(1 Pacific) Anaheim Ducks vs. (2 Wild Card) Dallas Stars

The Ducks took home the top spot in the Western Conference, thanks to the league's second best offense (only Chicago did better...by a goal) and were tied for second best in goal differential.  Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf were in the top five in scoring, and they can roll out a strong goaltending tandem in Frederik Andersen and Jonas Hiller.  Hiller's playoff experience will rub off on Andersen, and whoever starts will have a strong blue line in front of them.  Of course, they also have some extra motivation in that this is Teemu Selanne's last run at a Stanley Cup.

Dallas made the playoffs on the strength of Kari Lehtonen's goaltending and the one-two punch of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn.  Alex Goligoski is the team's best defenseman, but depth is a potential issue for the Stars, as only those three posted north of the 40 point line.  If Lehtonen gets hurt, goaltending depth will be an issue, as Tim Thomas barely made it under the 3.00 mark.

Prediction: Anaheim in 5

(2 Central) St. Louis Blues vs. (3 Central) Chicago Blackhawks

The Blues are wobbling into the playoffs, and given their recent history of underachieving in the playoffs combined with high pre-season expectations, that could spell trouble for the Blues.  Ryan Miller has a chance to make his mark in the playoffs, something he hasn't done lately due to being on some not-so good Sabres teams that didn't make the playoffs.  Blue line depth could be tested if Alex Pietrangelo misses any time, and the offense had better find their game fast.

The Blackhawks had some injury issues, but both Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are slated to return in time for the start of the playoffs.  Even when both missed time, they still led the league in offense.  Depth and experience in the playoffs are where Chicago has an advantage, and certainly, Corey Crawford has confidence from last year's run.

Prediction: Chicago in 6

(2 Pacific) San Jose Sharks vs. (3 Pacific) Los Angeles Kings

The Sharks appear to be getting their guys back at the right time, and with Joe Pavelski leading the team in scoring, the Sharks appear to be heading in the right direction for the future.  Logan Couture missed time due to injury, but he is getting healthier, as well.  Offense from the blue line isn't great, but they provide a solid presence in front of Antti Niemi, who had another stellar year in net.

The Kings didn't quite match offensive expectations this year, as only Anze Kopitar scored more than 50 points, while Jeff Carter hit the 50 point mark exactly.  Goaltending remains a strength, whether it is Jonathan Quick or Martin Jones.  Quick posted the highest GAA of the three goalies to suit up for the Kings this season (2.07 GAA to Jones' 1.81 and the since departed Ben Scrivens' 1.97).  Whoever is in goal will have the pressure to keep the Kings in it unless someone like Tyler Toffoli or Dustin Brown suddenly find the scoring touch to compliment Kopitar and Carter.

Prediction: Sharks in 6

(1 Central) Colorado Avalanche vs. (1 Wild Card) Minnesota Wild

On the surface, the Avs' magical leap from second worst team last year to Central Division champions seems like an improbability.  However, the youthful energy combined with Patrick Roy's presence behind the bench have given the team a life that many knew was there, but needed the right guy to bring it out.  Semyon Varlamov has finally shown the potential that he had dating back to his rookie year in Washington.  The offensive force is led by Matt Duchene, with Gabriel Landeskog, Ryan O'Reilly, and Nathan MacKinnon all riding shotgun.  While only Duchene and O'Reilly have experience of the four, don't underestimate MacKinnon's championship pedigree from last year, when he was on the President's Trophy and Memorial Cup winning Halifax Mooseheads.

The Wild have still yet to fulfill enormous expectations from the summer of 2012.  Only Jason Pominville and Zach Parise managed to score more than 25 goals.  The next highest goal total?  Nino Niederreiter with 14.  However, don't discount Matt Moulson, who managed 23 goals in stops with the NY Islanders, Buffalo, and Minnesota this season, and he may very be on a line with Parise and Mikko Koivu.  Ryan Suter is the clear leader of the blue line, but depth is a concern here.  The question of who will be in net is another thing to worry about, but both Darcy Kuemper and Ilya Bryzgalov made strong cases to be in goal for the first game of the playoffs.

Prediction: Colorado in 7

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