2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Picks and Predictions – Western Conference Odds and Predictions: The 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin after the lockout-shortened 2013 NHL regular season. For teams in the Western Conference, the start of the postseason marks a much-needed leveling of the playing field. Chicago and Anaheim surged to the top of the conference standings and maintained a comfortable lead all year while the rest of the teams battled for seeding up until the final games were played. However, anything can happen in the playoffs, and the Los Angeles Kings’ run to the championship as a No. 8 seed last year is a perfect example. With that in mind, here is a look at the first-round playoff matchups in the Western Conference.
No. 1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. No. 8 Minnesota Wild
High-priced free agents Ryan Suter and Zach Parise helped the Wild reach the playoffs, but the duo isn’t going to be able to get Minnesota out of the first round. After all, the Blackhawks took home the Presidents’ Trophy with a league-leading 77 points while scoring the second-most goals and allowing the fewer goals than any team in the NHL. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews lead Chicago’s explosive offense while the two-headed goalie monster of Ray Emery Corey Crawford tied for the league’s second-best goals against average. Minnesota on the other hand, has been getting passable but not elite play in net from the heavily-used Niklas Backstrom, and the Wild’s offense has been below average at best. Add it all up, and the Blackhawks should overwhelm and overpower Minnesota.
Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks Win in 4 Games
No. 2 Anaheim Ducks vs. No. 7 Detroit Red Wings
This series is definitely one of the toughest to call in either conference. On one hand, the Ducks tallied the second-most points in the NHL this year and scored the second-most goals in the Western Conference while Detroit dealt with an inconsistent offense all year. On the flip side, Anaheim went a rather pedestrian 7-5-1 in April while the Red Wings won four straight games to sneak into the playoffs. Meanwhile, Detroit stars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zettererg finally have a healthy roster around them, and the Red Wings scored 15 goals in their final four games. Ultimately, Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard is going to play a pivotal role in deciding the outcome, and although his 2.13 goals against average is better than either of Anahiem’s starters, he can run hot and cold. That being said, the now-healthy Red Wings have closed the gap between themselves and the Ducks on the offensive end of the ice, and Howard is playing well entering the playoffs. The combination of those two factors should help Detroit win a back-and-forth affair.
Prediction: Detroit Red Wings Win in 7 Games
No. 3 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 6 San Jose Sharks
These two teams are almost mirror images of each other. Vancouver has been getting solid goaltending from Cory Schneider almost all season while San Jose has been getting similar contributions from Antti Niemi. Meanwhile, both sides have run hot and cold offensively depending on the play of their stars. For the Canucks, the offense pretty much starts at end with Henrik and Daniel Sedin. For the Sharks, Joe Thorton, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski are the crucial pieces. With two similarly constructed teams, small factors will be the difference. In this case, San Jose’s home record and the play of Brent Burns could tip the scales. The Sharks went 17-2-5 at home this year, making it much more likely that they will steal a game in Vancouver than vice versa. Meanwhile, Burns moved to wing late in the year and had 14 of his 20 points after March 25. With Burns’ big body creating havoc in front of the net and the Sharks taking care of business on their home ice, they will find a way to steal one game in Vancouver.
Prediction: San Jose Sharks Win in 7 Games
No. 4 St. Louis Blues vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Kings
The defending Stanley Cup champion Kings have owned the Blues of late, winning the last eight meetings between these franchises, which includes four straight victories in the playoffs last year. Not to mention the fact that Los Angeles is a much more balanced team this year, ranking in the top in both goals scored and fewest goals allowed. That being said, St. Louis has some serious momentum on its side heading into the postseason, having gone 11-2-0 in April, and the Blues have a hot goaltender in Brian Elliott ready to give the Kings a taste of their own medicine. Last year, Los Angeles goalie Jonathan Quick was basically a brick wall between the pipes, posting a 1.41 goals against average and carrying the Kings to a title. However, he posted a 2.45 goals against average this season. Elliott on the other hand has posted a 1.23 goals against average since being reinstalled as the starter to begin April. With two of the best, young defenders and the NHL’s hottest goalie in net, the Blues should be able to oust the defending champs.
Prediction: St. Louis Blues Win in 6 Games
Odds to win Western Conference
2041 Anaheim Ducks +600
2042 Chicago Blackhawks +180
2043 Detroit Red Wings +1300
2044 Los Angeles Kings +700
2045 Minnestoa Wild +1500
2046 San Jose Sharks +900
2047 St Louis Blues +900
2048 Vancouver Canucks +350
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