(1) Chicago Blackhawks(36-7-5) vs. (8) Minnesota Wild(26-19-3)
Blackhawks lead season series 2-0-1
This match-up is a tale of two identities. The Blackhawks will be known for some time for the point streak they put together to start the season. While the Wild will be known for dumping a ton of money on two player and coming withing a few minutes of missing the playoffs altogether. What is most worrisome for the Wild is the fact they are the only team in the playoffs this year to be outscored on the season(-7)
Chicago Breakdown:
GF/G: 3.10 (2nd)
GA/G: 2.02 (1st)
PP%: 16.7% (19th)
PK% 87.2% (3rd)
Minnesota Breakdown:
GF/G: 2.46 (23rd)
GA/G: 2.60 (15th)
PP%: 17.9% (16th)
PK%: 80.7% (18th)
Based on the fact that the playoffs tend to be amped up defensively, Minnesota is going to have a real hard scoring goals, they be able to salvage a game, but even that's giving them a little too much credit.
Eric's Pick: Blackhawks in 5
(2) Anaheim Ducks(30-12-6) vs. (7) Detroit Red Wings(24-16-8)
Red Wings lead season series 2-1-0
Another themed match-up per say as last season the Ducks finished near the bottom of the standings and countered by taking the #2 seed this year. Detroit, on the other hand, has been normally dominant and barely made the playoffs year after waiting until their last game of the season to secure the #7 seed. A lot of questions were being asked as to how the Red Wings were going to fill the gap left by departing captain Nicklas Lidstrom. No matter what the seeding, it's hard to take Detroit for granted in the post season, they are a team that knows how to get it done.
Anaheim Breakdown:
GF/G: 2.79 (8th)
GA/G: 2.40 (9th)
PP%: 21.5% (4th)
PK%: 81.5% (13th)
Detroit Breakdown:
GF/G: 2.54 (t-19th)
GA/G: 2.29 (5th)
PP%: 18.4% (15th)
PK%: 81.7% (12th)
Both teams are solid defensively. This series is going to come down to whether the Red Wings can stay out of the box or not.
Eric's Pick: Ducks in 7
(3) Vancouver Canucks(26-15-7) vs. (6) San Jose Sharks(25-16-7)
Sharks lead series 3-0-0
Ah yes, the goal tending conundrum of Vancouver makes it's way into the post season. Cory Schneider was supposed to be the man in net, but apparently he's hurt. So, in comes Roberto Luongo to the rescue...again. Can he put previous playoff woes behind him? Not to be outdone, the Sharks are a bit of an enigma themselves. They have trouble getting out of the first round no mater where they finish in the standings.
Vancouver Breakdown:
GF/G: 2.54 (t-19th)
GA/G: 2.40 (11th)
PP%: 15.8% (22nd)
PK%: 84.0% (8th)
San Jose Breakdown:
GF/G: 2.42 (24th)
GA/G: 2.33 (6th)
PP%: 20.1% (7th)
PK%: 85.0% (6th)
Playoffs usually tend to favor defensive teams and the Sharks are up there both defensively and in special teams. If they can figure out a way to get a couple extra goals they should be in good hands. If Vancouver can solve the riddle of Anti Niemi that has plagued them all season, the Sharks could be heading back to bay early.
Eric's Pick: Sharks in 6
(4) St. Louis Blues(29-17-2) vs. (5) Los Angeles Kings(27-16-5)
Kings lead season series 3-0-0
I'm hesitant to completely dismiss the Blues but they aren't anywhere close to the team they were last year and the Kings handled them fairly well back then too. I expect this to be a repeat of last season's series.
St. Louis Breakdown:
GF/G: 2.58 (17th)
GA/G: 2.38 (t-7th)
PP%: 19.5% (12th)
PK%: 84.7% (7th)
Los Angeles Breakdown:
GF/G: 2.73 (10th)
GA/G: 2.38 (t-7th)
PP%: 19.9% (10th)
PK%: 83.2% (10th)
These teams are virtually identical stats wise save for the Kings edge in goals scored. This should carry them into the next round.
Eric's Pick: Kings in 4
There you have it, my simple breakdown for the western conference. I'll be putting the eastern conference tomorrow.
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