(1) Dallas Stars vs. (4) Minnesota Wild
The Stars were largely one of the best teams in the West, but they also had to play without Tyler Seguin for a few weeks to close out the season. His return for the first round is likely, which bodes well for the offensive juggernaut. However, the goalie problem still exists, as neither Kari Lehtonen nor Antti Niemi have seized the starting job. The blue line remains the wild card.
The Wild basically backed into a playoff spot, as it seemed that they didn't necessarily want the spot even after Colorado kept losing. A mid-season coaching change was barely enough to get there, but it may also be a short run, as the lack of depth on the blue line is getting exposed, as well as players up front not playing up to expectations. Devan Dubnyk will likely have to carry the team once again, and like last time, it may not be enough.
Prediction: Stars in 5
(2) St. Louis Blues vs. (3) Chicago Blackhawks
The Blues were neck and neck for the Central Division crown until the last game. Now, the playoffs are here and until they can make a deep run, there will always be questions as to whether the Blues can win when it counts with the current group. Outside of Vladimir Tarasenko, everyone on the team, coaches included, have something to prove.
Conversely, the Blackhawks stumbled their way into the playoffs, but they will have Corey Crawford back after he sat out for head issues. Depth, more than any other time, is a possible issue, particularly if players such as Marian Hossa don't make it back all the way. There's still Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith will be back after serving a seven-game suspension, plus the Blackhawks have been here before and know what to do.
Prediction: Blackhawks in 6
(1) Anaheim Ducks vs. (4) Nashville Predators
A slow start to the season gave way to a strong finish that saw the Ducks overtake the Kings for the Pacific Division crown on the last day of the season. Goaltending remains an issue, though John Gibson appears to be taking the lead as the starter, with Fredrik Andersen still lurking. The Ducks are coming together at the right time, with players such as Jakob Silfverberg and Rickard Rakell stepping up to compliment Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. There still is no top defender on the team, but all six defenders are more than capable as a unit.
The Predators, like the Wild, also backed into the playoffs, needing three tries to make it, losing all three tries, yet Colorado didn't want it, either. Goaltending is also an issue, as Pekka Rinne hasn't been great, with Carter Hutton playing consecutive games for a short stretch at one point. The blue line is still a strong point, with Shea Weber and Roman Josi leading the way, but up front, there needs to be more than Filip Forsberg contributing. Mid-season acquisition Ryan Johansen is an X-factor here.
Prediction: Ducks in 6
(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) San Jose Sharks
The Kings were on the verge of winning just their second Division title until Anaheim swooped in on the last day. Nonetheless, the Kings are back in the playoffs, and given their recent history in the playoffs, they should find a way back to the promised land. Jonathan Quick is still in goal, and Drew Doughty is still leading the way defensively while Anze Kopitar leads the charge up front. Where the Kings could use a boost is in just how much guys like Tyler Toffoli and Milan Lucic can do.
The Sharks get a chance to avenge their 2014 collapse to the very LA Kings team they faced the last time they were in the playoffs. Martin Jones has been solid, but not great, which is why James Reimer was brought in. Both should figure to push the other until there is a true starter for the playoff run. Defensively, Brent Burns is the offensive firestarter while Marc-Edouard Vlasic is the rock in the Sharks' own end. Joe Pavelski is the leader up front now, with the team hoping that Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau have something left.
Prediction: Kings in 7
No comments:
Post a Comment