(1) St. Louis Blues vs. (4) Minnesota Wild
The Blues found themselves at the top of the Central Division and as a result, expectations are high. Much of that is due to the usual strong goaltending of Brian Elliott and Jake Allen, plus the emergence of players such as Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz as offensive options. However, the bugaboo that hangs over the Blues is the same one that's been over them since the Brett Hull days, and that is whether the Blues can take that next step and win when it counts the most. Someone will have to emerge as the top option in goal, and the blue line will need to find that killer instinct that's been lacking in the playoffs of recent times. The Wild rode the strong goaltending of Devan Dubnyk to the playoffs, but he's also started as many games as he has been in a Wild uniform, meaning he's played every game since coming over in a mid-season trade. The Wild are still learning how to win, and given that they are still young, it's possible that Zach Parise and Ryan Suter will need to take the lead in getting the Wild to the next level.
Prediction: Wild in 7
(2) Nashville Predators vs. (3) Chicago Blackhawks
Nashville was the hottest team for the first half of the season, but they tailed off a little late in the season, losing the Cental Division title in the process. Everything begins from the back, with Pekka Rinne manning the pipes and Shea Weber leading the blue line charge. Offensively, guys like Filip Forsberg and James Neal will need to be step up. The Blackhawks had a tailspin of their own to end the season, but a healthy Corey Crawford and a possible return of Patrick Kane would benefit the team greatly, as the Blackhawks have been a largely up and down team throughout the season.
Prediction: Blackhawks in 7
(1) Anaheim Ducks vs. (4) Winnipeg Jets
The Ducks nearly led the Conference from the word go, but as with the Blues, the Ducks need to shake some of the playoff demons that have derailed their chances in recent years. Either Fredrik Andersen or John Gibson need to seize the starting role in goal, and the blue line will need to jump start the offensive push to win. The Jets are in the playoffs for the first time since they were the Atlanta Thrashers in 2007. The Jets are a hard working team that will need the very best efforts of Ondrej Pavelec in goal, as well as the continued solid play of Tyler Myers. Up front, the Jets can play an offensive style with their top two lines or they can wear down the opposition with the bottom two lines. However, the Jets may not have the depth necessary to pull off a potential upset, even with the hometown crowd solidly behind them.
Prediction: Ducks in 6
(2) Vancouver Canucks vs. (3) Calgary Flames
The most even match-up in the first round, neither were expected to do much this season, yet here we are with two teams that have exceeded expectations. The Canucks got better than expected goaltending from Ryan Miller before a late-season injury, and Eddie Lack was able to fill in capably in his absence. Defensively, the unit wasn't special, but their game has largely been about offense, and signing Radim Vrbata prior to the season will go down as one of the best signings of the season, as he led the team in goals and was considered by some to be the team MVP. The Sedins rediscovered their game, as well, and they got production across the board, as the Station Wagon Line (Bo Horvat, Ronalds Kennins, and Jannik Hansen) proved to be a great third line. The Flames were expected to have more growing pains as their rebuild hit another year. Well, the Flames are ahead of schedule, thanks to a solid second act from Sean Monahan, as well as the emergence of Johnny Guadreau and Jiri Hudler. Despite losing Mark Giordano to injury late in the season, the defense is still as solid as ever, and players such as T.J. Brodie and Kris Russell are leading the way, providing help for whoever is in goal, whether it is Jonas Hiller or Karri Ramo.
Prediction: Canucks in 7
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