(1) Nashville Predators vs. (4) Colorado Avalanche
For not having one player that can kill you, the Nashville Predators did incredibly well this season. In fact, they claimed a few regular season trophies out of it. Their offense is a pick-your-poison type, with no player scoring above 64 points (Filip Forsberg) and no player cracking 30 goals (Viktor Arvidsson had 29), but half the roster cracked double digits in goals and six players scored above 50 points. Factor in the fact that the forwards can go five to six lines deep, and you have to figure out which players to prepare for. Defensively, this team isn't just good in their own end, as they were the second best defense in the league, but they can also kill you on offense. PK Subban and Roman Josi scored above 50 points, they along with Mattias Ekholm scored double digits in goals, and had Ryan Ellis not missed the first half of the season to injury, he would have joined them in possibly both categories. In goal, Pekka Rinne had his best regular season yet, and now, if he goes down, the Predators can feel comfortable with Juuse Saros in net.
Colorado was the true comeback story of the year, going from under 50 points in a season to a playoff berth on the last day of their regular season. Much of that is Nathan MacKinnon posting MVP-type numbers, as well as coach Jared Bednar having a whole off-season to implement his system. Mikko Rantanen took a major step forward in his second season, and Gabriel Landeskog had a bounce back season, providing much needed leadership on the team. Forward depth remains an issue, especially if MacKinnon's line gets shut down. The blue line played better this season, and Tyson Barrie, like most of the Avs, had a better season. The key here is Erik Johnson, who always seems to be injured every year, and heading into this series, this is no exception. If he misses any amount of time, they're done here. In goal, when healthy, the duo of Semyon Varlamov and Jonathan Bernier can be very good. The problem, as with Johnson, is that it hasn't always been the case. Varlamov is likely missing this series, and Bernier also missed time in the regular season. Bernier also has a bad habit of letting in soft goals, so this series bears watching in that regard.
Prediction: Predators in 5
(2) Winnipeg Jets vs. (3) Minnesota Wild
The Jets are in the playoffs for the second time since moving to Winnipeg in 2011. Their offense and depth can rival the Predators, but where the Jets have the ability to excel is their ability to be more physical. This year, they may have figured out the fine line between being physical and going over the line, as being in the box had been their downfall. Despite not having Mark Scheifele for stretches of time to injuries, the Jets got major contributions from Blake Wheeler and Patrik Laine, the latter of whom scored over 40 goals despite spending some time on the third line. Defensively, this unit is still very good, though Dustin Byfuglien is getting a little older. Having the likes of Josh Morrissey and Jacob Trouba step up has been beneficial and portends promise for the unit's future. In goal, it was supposed to be Steve Mason, but constant injuries opened the door once again to Connor Hellebuyck, and he took full advantage, winning 44 games and answering the ever-going question in goal.
The Wild's offense goes through Eric Staal, who has has a renaissance since signing with them prior to last season. He has been their best forward, with Jason Zucker and a healthy Nino Niederreiter all providing secondary offense. That's going to be important because Zach Parise has suddenly developed the Joe Mauer syndrome, as in he can't stay healthy and his contract is becoming an albatross. The blue line was one of the better units in the league. However, that was before Ryan Suter went down to injury. Now, they have to hope that a returning Jared Spurgeon can fill some of the offensive void left by him and that the rest of the unit can come together. In goal, as Devan Dubnyk goes, so often go the Wild. He had a fairly good season, but he will need to elevate his game if the Wild hope to be more than just a one and done team.
Prediction: Jets in 6
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (4) Los Angeles Kings
The Golden Knights surprised everyone out of the gate by taking the division lead. Despite injuries in goal and a late-season swoon, they were able to hold on to the Division title. Injuries are still a problem in goal, as Marc-Andre Fleury may still be dealing with the aftereffects of two concussions. Backup Malcolm Subban has also missed time to injuries. When healthy, though, this is an effective duo in goal. Defensively, their no-name group has played incredibly well, and Deryk Engelland has provided leadership from that group that has spread through the entire team. Up front, Jonathan Marchessault has been an offensive force, but the real surprise has been William Karlsson, who came out of nowhere to score over 40 goals. There is balance on the team, but did they use all of their mana too early?
The Kings are back, and health and resurgent seasons from key players is a big reason why. Jonathan Quick showed last season how important he was when he missed time to injury. A healthy Quick got them over the hump this season. On the blue line, Drew Doughty was his usual self, and depth here got better with the trade deadline acquisition of Dion Phaneuf. Up front, minus Jeff Carter missing time to injury, they got a major revival from Anze Kopitar and Dusting Brown played way better than in the past few seasons. Youth is served, with Adrian Kempe, Tanner Pearson, and Tyler Toffoli all playing pivotal roles.
Prediction: I have to be honest, I struggled with this pick, as it can truly go either way. There is always the threat of the Kings pulling a deep playoff run out of their hat, and the Golden Knights's most recent game at Calgary is cause for alarm. However, I feel that Gerard Gallant will rally the Golden Knights as he has all season and say Golden Knights in 7.
(2) Anaheim Ducks vs. (3) San Jose Sharks
The Ducks have the most momentum of any team heading into the playoffs, and John Gibson was a major part of that. He played his best hockey down the stretch, and Ryan Miller filled in the gaps when Gibson needed some rest. However, as has been the case the last few playoff seasons, does the clock strike midnight for Gibson, who struggled and acquiesced to Frederik Andersen and Jonathan Bernier? The blue line is still very strong despite not having Sami Vatanen (traded for Adam Henrique) and Cam Fowler, who may be out for the series. Up front, injuries made life tough for the team early on, but now, they have good depth down the middle, and the team is closer to healthy than they've ever been this season.
The Sharks have done well up front despite losing Joe Thornton for a stretch of time. The big question here is whether Evander Kane can truly be a difference maker in his first playoff appearance. Defensively, this is Brent Burns' unit, as he leads here. Martin Jones and Aaron Dell are a solid unit in goal, but overall, nothing about this team truly sticks out. That could make them dangerous in the playoffs.
Prediction: Ducks in 6
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