This morning, fellow Rig writer Preston Hodgkinson released Part One of his Oilers-Sharks series preview. It is a fantastic, extensive look into the series and you can find it here. Definitely give it a read.
With the Oilers’ series in good hands, it’s time to take a quick look at how the rest of the West plays out in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Maybe it’s just the fact that the Oilers are actually involved this year, but from the looks of things, the first round should have a number of engaging story lines that make for an electric couple of weeks.
On the docket are tightly contested match-ups, fireworks, question marks surrounding the play of a few significant players, and respectable arguments to be made for every single team to win their series.
So without further delay, let’s get to it.
Anaheim Ducks (#1 Pacific) vs. Calgary Flames (#1 Wild Card)
Game 1: Thurs., April 13 Calgary @ Anaheim, Game 2: Sat. April 15 Calgary @ Anaheim, Game 3: Mon., April 17 Anaheim, Game 4: Wed., April 19 Anaheim @ Calgary, Game 5:* Fri., April 21 Calgary @ Anaheim, Game 6:* Sun., April 23 Anaheim @ Calgary, Game 7:* Tues., April 25 Calgary @ Anaheim
Calgary – Entering the Playoffs
After a rocky start to the season, the Calgary Flames entered the new year and decided that it was high time to play good hockey. What followed was one of the hottest second-half streaks in the NHL. Driven mainly by the superb play of Flames netminder Brian Elliott, Calgary was able to compile a win streak of 10 games in the midst of February and March, and charge their way into a Wild Card position that, at one point in the year, looked like a mirage. Additionally, the play of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and Dougie Hamilton only improved as the schedule wore on. The Flames didn’t close the season quite as hot as the few weeks that lead into it, but there is little doubt that Calgary should still carry good energy from their stretch drive.
Anaheim – Entering the Playoffs
The Anaheim Ducks, on the other hand, didn’t require a late season surge to lock up a playoff spot-although it didn’t stop them from doing exactly that. For much of the season, the Ducks hung around in the top 3 of the Pacific, and despite a few hiccups along the road, played a consistent level of hockey that was looking to shape perfectly into form with a #2 or #3 seed in the Pacific.
That was, until the final 2 months of the season. In winning 14 of their final 19 games, the Ducks surged ahead of San Jose, and just squeaked by the Sharks in order to take home the Pacific Division crown. With a red-hot John Gibson in net and some key veterans heating up at the right time, they look to make some serious noise this year.They will, however, have to contend without defencemen Cam Fowler for at least the first round.
What to Expect
Fireworks. The Ducks will be without Cam Fowler due to a questionable play at the hands of Flames’ captain Mark Giordano. The controversy founds its way to the GMs of either team, who themselves exchanged a mini war of words on the issue. With this series featuring the likes of Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry, and Matt Tkachuk, there is no doubt that every one of these games should be full of fire. It helps too that these two teams met just a couple years ago in the playoffs.
The Deciding Factor
Odds are that this series will come down to goaltending. Despite Anaheim being the better team as of late and for much of the season, these two teams are rather evenly matched. Both teams can score, rather equally at that, as is showcased by their goals per game average on the season. As well, both teams can defend, with the edge probably going to Calgary in that department, just due to the loss of Fowler. It’s the goaltending that supplies the question marks in this one, and ultimately the edge to Anaheim.
Gibson closed the season in fantastic form for the Ducks, and put an exclamation point on what has been a fine season for the 23 year old. Elliott, who started his year rather terribly, but rebounded in a magnificent way, has cooled down the stretch. When these teams met in April for the final two times on the season, Elliott could muster no better than a .882 save % in the one game, and a .842 save % in the other.
If that continues, there is no question that the likes of Rakell, Perry and Silfverberg will put the fork in this series early.
Prediction
Ducks get the goaltending and the Flames do not. Anaheim in 5.
Chicago Blackhawks (#1 Central) vs. Nashville Predators (#2 Wild Card)
Game 1: Thurs., April 13 Nashville @ Chicago, Game 2: Sat., April 15 Nashville @ Chicago, Game 3: Mon. April 17 Chicago @ Nashville, Game 4: Thurs., April 20 Chicago @ Nashville, Game 5:* Sat., April 22 Nashville @ Chicago, Game 6:* Mon., April 24 Chicago @ Nashville, Game 7:*Wed., April 26 Nashville @ Chicago
Nashville – Entering the Playoffs
The Nashville Predators were more than a few people’s picks to be right at the top of the league’s standings come April. Instead, they enter the playoffs in the final spot, capping their season at 94 points. Similar to the Flames, early season struggles made it look at times that the playoffs may be a distant target.
The early season struggles can be looked at in a matter of two ways. Perhaps the consistency issues that plagued Nashville for a good chunk of the year were directly tied to their struggles to stay healthy. As a result, maybe they didn’t look as good as they actually are and are a legitimate dark horse. Or maybe, this team does have some deep seeded roots in the consistency department, and will be in an extremely tough position to overcome that against the best team in the Western Conference.
Chicago – Entering the Playoffs
What more can be said about a team that is the closest thing that the NHL has seen to a dynasty since the Oilers of the 80s? They have been consistent all year long, holding their foot on the gas pedal till the very end, to overtake the Minnesota Wild as the best team in Central Division. The core that has won them those Stanley Cups in Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Hossa, and Crawford remains intact, and healthy.
With another impressive regular season under their belt, they will be looking to make up for last year, where they lost to the St. Louis Blues in 7 games.
What to Expect
One Helluva Series. This one will be worth tuning in for. Despite Chicago being the #1 seed, and Nashville being #8, this one will more than likely be a lot closer than paper would appear. Chicago just barely scored more goals per this year, while giving up less as well, but according to a variety of advanced stats, the Preds are showing an underbelly of success that could work to trump that this postseason.
With the match-up being relatively even, we look to the superstars that will make up this series. Already mentioned is Chicago’s core, plus the likes of the electrifying Antemi Panarin, but Nashville will be countering with a defence core that is one of the very best in the league. PK Subban, Roman Josi, and Ryan Ellis represent a dynamic offence that will make for a rock-solid group, worthy of a killer showdown with Chicago’s elite offensive firepower.
The Deciding Factors
We just talked about goaltending, and it factors in again here. Corey Crawford wasn’t the same goaltender who backstopped Chicago to their Stanley Cup wins last year when he was only able to put up a .907 save % on his way to a first round exit. On the flip side, Pekka Rinne is no model of consistency either.
One thing we do know? Both of these goalies are able to get very hot and play lights out. With pretty similar seasons in the books, and such an evenly balanced match-up outside of the crease, the goalie that finds the spark could be the slight edge needed.
The age of some of Chicago’s key players will also be something worth keeping tabs on. Keith, Crawford, Hossa and Seabrook are no spring chickens, and a 7 game series could reveal some of those effects.
Prediction
The Nashville Predators find a way to get it done. They do what the Blues did just a year again, and win the series in 7 games. The defence of the Predators will be a wow-factor for all who watch.
Minnesota Wild (Central #2) vs. St. Louis Blues (Central #3)
Game 1: Wed., April 12 St. Louis @ Minnesota, Game 2: Fri., April 14 St. Louis @ Minnesota, Game 3: Sun., April 16 Minnesota @ St. Louis, Game 4: Wed., April 19 Minnesota @ St. Louis, Game 5:* Sat., April 22 St. Louis @ Minnesota, Game 6:* Mon., April 24 Minnesota @ St. Louis, Game 7:* Wed., April 26 St. Louis @ Minnesota, TBD
St. Louis – Entering the Playoffs
What a strange year for the Blues. They entered the season with high expectations after making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals last year. Despite that, the season was shaping up to be one that didn’t live up to the high expectations. Even when the trade deadline came, the Blues opted to be sellers rather than buyers, shipping off offensive-defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk to the Washington Capitals.
From that point on, pretty much, the Blues started to find their rhythm. Their netminder Jake Allen, who was wobbly to start the season, found his groove as well, as he began stitching together routine quality starts to end his year on a high note. With a base of momentum built, and some serious experience from a pair of series’ wins just a year ago, the Blues may just have enough late season heat to knock off a regular season Goliath.
Minnesota – Entering the Playoffs
What the heck happened? The Wild, after being such a dominating force for the first 5 months of the season, entered March and completely fell apart. With only 4 victories in March, the team looked more like a seller at the deadline, as opposed to one that bought in with the acquisition of Martin Hanzal. In other words, it was quite the opposite of the St. Louis Blues.
Much of that poor play came at the hands of Devan Dubnyk, who began to play in direct contrast to the Vezina-caliber season that he had been orchestrating to that point.
Despite their late season missteps, this is still a squad that looks deadly on paper, when viewed through an entire year’s lens. They score a lot, give up very little, and when on, have an elite-level goalie. The only question is, can that train get back in gear?
What to Expect
A Serious Contender to Emerge. No matter how this one shapes out, the winner of it will have to be looked at as a serious contender to make some noise in the West. If Minnesota wins, it likely means that they corrected the ship… and if that is the case, well then look out because they are as good as anybody (and likely, better).
If the Blues find a way to get it done, it could signal another strong run, especially with the boatload of confidence that will come from beating a serious power house. Jake Allen would remain a question mark, but his late season play has suggested that he is more than capable of going on a run.
The Deciding Factor
To me, this one comes down to a “what have you done for me lately” scenario. It is a lot easier to build on momentum and keep a run going, than it is to trigger a level of play that has been absent for a month. As is the case, the Blues are in a prime position to take advantage. Can they?
Prediction
I think they can. Up to this morning I have had the Minnesota Wild pegged to advance, but this Blues team is showing a genuine run of solid play that inspires confidence in their selection. The series is gravy for the Blues if Dubnyk continues to be less than stellar. I’ll say St. Louis in 7, as they make it 2 years in a row with an impressive first round performance.
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