2014 NHL Western Conference Playoff First-Round Series Odds and Predictions: The 2014 NHL playoffs are about to begin, and the Western Conference has been churning out Stanley Cup champions lately. Teams from the conference have won three of the last four championships, and the teams responsible for those titles are all part of this year’s playoff field. Of course to win a Stanley Cup title, a team first has to emerge from the Western Conference. With that in mind, here is a look at the first-round matchups in the Western Conference in the 2014 NHL playoffs.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars
Dallas snuck into the playoffs late in the going, and the reward is a matchup with Anaheim’s top-rated offense. Granted, the Stars have an excellent top line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin leading the way, but the Ducks not only have 80-point scorers Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry on their top line, but they also have eight other players with at least 30 points. Meanwhile, Dallas’ defense and goaltending are just average so turning the series into a defensive battle isn’t likely to happen. Going toe to toe with the Ducks’ offense just isn’t going to end well for Dallas.
Prediction: Anaheim Ducks Win in 6 Games
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings
This series has all the makings of a defensive battle. Led by goalie Jonathan Quick and defenseman Drew Doughty, the Kings own the stingiest defense in the NHL. Meanwhile, San Jose goalie Antii Niemi heads the fifth-best defense in the league. As far as offense is concerned, the Sharks are easily the better team with the likes of Joe Thorton, Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau heading the attack while the Kings ranked just 26th in goals per game during the regular season. Meanwhile, San Jose also enters the postseason on a hit streak while Los Angeles stumbled down the stretch. While most signs point toward San Jose advancing, it’s hard to overlook the Sharks’ horrible history in the postseason. Not to mention the fact that Quick seems to take his game to the next level during the playoffs. The Sharks’ playoff demons won’t be exorcised against Quick and company.
Prediction: Los Angeles Kings Win in 7 Games
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild
Colorado has been one of the biggest surprises this year, and the Avalanche have owned the Wild thus far, going 4-0-1 against them during the regular season. Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov has been excellent between the pipes behind an up-tempo offense that has no shortage of weapons, including Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan O’Reilly and Gabriel Landeskog. Minnesota on the other hand has battled injuries to star forward Zach Parise and goalie Josh Harding, but replacement goalie Ilya Bryzgalov has been excellent down the stretch, and Minnesota’s offense is finally at full strength. Still, Bryzgalov is likely to regress to his typical mediocre numbers sooner rather than later while Varlamov has been steady all year. Add in Colorado’s offensive firepower, and the Avalanche will move on.
Prediction: Colorado Avalanche Win in 6 Games
St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The defending Stanley Cup champs have looked brilliant at times this year, but injuries down the stretch have made the Blackhawks look very vulnerable. Of course, the Blues have been dealing with plenty of injuries of their own, but both sides should be close to full strength for this matchup. This series is going to boil down to battle between Chicago’s second-ranked offense and St. Louis’ third-ranked defense, and during the regular season, the Blues held a 3-2 edge in the matchup. In the end, St. Louis’ late-season addition of goalie Ryan Miller could prove crucial. He makes an already-stout Blues’ defense that much better, and it will be enough to push them past the defending champs.
Prediction: St. Louis Blues Win in 7 Games
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