The Western Conference has a lot of familiar faces in the playoffs this year as well as 2 teams that didn't make it last year in the Anaheim Ducks and the Minnesota Wild. The Columbus Blue Jackets surprised many by nearly making it as well. What we should see are 4 very
competitive 1st round series here in the West and a guarantee that whatever team gets out of the West will be battle-tested if not beaten-down.
1. Chicago Blackhawks vs 8. Minnesota Wild
The Blackhawks had a phenonmenal regular season by any standard, shortened or not. They pretty much coasted through the regular season including a 24 game unbeaten streak to start the season. They are playing as good as any team in the league heading into the playoffs with stellar goaltending from Corey Crawford and typically strong contributions from Kane and Toews. The Minnesota Wild made waves in the off-season signing Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to twin 13 year deals. They started off the season well and looked to be pulling way from the Canucks for the Northwest Division crown but they faltered near the end and ended up having to scratch and claw just to get into the playoffs. Blackhawks in 5
2. Anaheim Ducks vs. 7. Detroit Red Wings
This proves to be quite an interesting match-up with both teams possessing some serious high end talent. Detroit with Zetterberg and Datsyuk and Anaheim with Perry an Getzlaf. Both teams also have good supporting casts and decent goaltending. This, for me, is one of the hardest series to pick this year and I think could really go either way. I think it will come down to goaltending and i think Detroit has a slight edge in that department. Red Wings in 7
4. St. Louis Blues vs. 5. Los Angeles Kings
In this one, we have the defending Stanley Cup Champions going up against a team that finished 2nd in the Western Conference last year with 109 points and who many picked to go very far this season. Two very physical teams with size and speed and good defensively. These two teams are almost mirror images of each other and this promises to be one hell of a series. There most likely won't be a lot of goals scored but both teams will earn every inch they get and the winner of this one will be the team that can survive. Both are capable, but LA has done it before. Kings in 7.
Stay tuned for a more detailed break-down of the Vancouver Canucks - San Jose Sharks series on the next post.
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