To get you pumped up for the playoffs, watch this commercial:
The 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs start on Wednesday night, and with that being said here is a look at the Western Conference playoff picture:
#1 Dallas Stars vs. WC #2 Minnesota Wild
Season Series: Dallas won the season series 4-1-0
November 14, 2015: Dallas Stars 3, Minnesota Wild 2 (OT)
November 28, 2015: Dallas Stars 4, Minnesota Wild 3 (OT)
December 21, 2015: Dallas Stars 6, Minnesota Wild 3
January 9, 2016: Minnesota Wild 2, Dallas Stars 1
March 28, 2015: Dallas Stars 4, Minnesota Wild 3 (OT)
Players to Watch:
Dallas: Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Patrick Sharp, Jason Spezza, John Klingberg, Cody Eakin
Minnesota: Zach Parise, Devan Dubnyk, Mikko Koivu, Ryan Suter, Nino Niederreiter, Erik Haula
X-Factor:
Dallas: Jamie Benn
Minnesota: Devan Dubnyk
Team Leaders:
Goals: Jamie Benn - 41 (DAL), Zach Parise - 25 (MIN)
Assists: Jamie Benn/John Klingberg - 48 (DAL), Ryan Suter - 43 (MIN)
Points: Jamie Benn - 89 (DAL), Mikko Koivu - 56 (MIN)
Wins: Devan Dubnyk - 32 (MIN), Antti Niemi/Kari Lehtonen - 25 (DAL)
Shutouts: Devan Dubnyk - 5 (MIN), Antti Niemi - 3 (DAL)
Series Notes:
-Biggest storyline heading into this series is the availability of star forwards Tyler Seguin, who missed the last month of the regular season after slicing his Achilles tendon, and Zach Parise, who is out indefinitely with a herniated disc in his back. Both will likely start the series in the press box but Seguin looks to be returning soon while Parise isn't.
-Jamie Benn lead the Stars to a Central Division Championship this year, after a career-high 87 points last year he had 89 this year (including a career-high 41 goals).
-John Klingberg had a breakout year for the Stars, with 10 goals and 48 points he posted a career-high 58 points.
-The Stars were the only team in the NHL this season with 3 30-goal scorers (Benn 41, Seguin 33, Spezza 33)
-It will be interesting to see who Lindy Ruff goes with in net, Antti Niemi has more playoff experience than Kari Lehtonen but they pretty much split games 50-50 this year.
-Patrick Sharp will bring a great playoff resume to the Stars having won 3 Stanley Cups in 6 years with the Blackhawks previously.
-The Wild head into the playoffs after a fantastic 2nd half, ingnited by the firing of Head Coach Mike Yeo/replacement of John Torchetti.
-Devan Dubnyk will need to be at his best in this series, the Stars scored an NHL-best 267 goals this season.
-Ryan Suter will be played heavily in this series against the Benn/Seguin line, he has a tough task at hand.
-Watch for the Wild depth forwards to make an impact in this series, particularly Nino Niederreiter, Charlie Coyle and Erik Haula.
-Zach Parise will start the series on the IR with a nagging back injury (herniated disc). If he can't play at all in this series it will be a massive loss for the Wild.
Prediction: This is a very interesting match up between one of the best offensive teams and one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. Interesting to note that the Wild (#2 Wildcard) have upset teams in the 1st round as the wildcard for the past 2 years. While I think it could either way and will be a very close series, I am siding with the Stars as long as Parise remains hurt.
(STARS IN 7)
#1 Anaheim Ducks vs. WC #1 Nashville Predators
Season Series: Nashville won the season series 2-1-0
October 22, 2015: Nashville Predators 5, Anaheim Ducks 1
November 1st, 2015: Anaheim Ducks 4, Nashville Predators 2
November 17th, 2015: Nashville Predators 3, Anaheim Ducks 2
Players to Watch:
Anaheim: Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Ryan Kesler, Jakob Silfverberg, Sami Vatanen, Rickard Rakell
Nashville: Shea Weber, Roman Josi, James Neal, Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Pekka Rinne
X-Factor:
Anaheim: Ryan Getzlaf
Nashville: Shea Weber
Team Leaders:
Goals: Corey Perry - 34 (ANA), Filip Forsberg - 33 (NSH)
Assists: Ryan Getlaf - 50 (ANA), Roman Josi - 47 (NSH)
Points: Filip Forsberg - 64 (NSH), Ryan Getzlaf - 63 (ANA)
Wins: Pekka Rinne - 34 (NSH), Frederik Andersen - 22 (ANA)
Shutouts: John Gibson - 4 (ANA), Pekka Rinne - 4 (NSH)
Series Notes:
-The Ducks enter this series having been one of the best teams in the NHL in the 2nd half, capping it off with their 4th straight Pacific Division title under Bruce Boudreau.
-As usual, the Ducks will be lead in this series by the dynamic duo of Ryan Getlaf and Corey Perry.
-The Ducks will need a strong offensive showing from their depth forwards, guys like Jamie McGinn, Andrew Cogliano, Jakob Silfverberg to name a few.
-With the Predators focusing on shutting down the Getzlaf line, their will be a lot of pressure for Ryan Kesler to produce in this series.
-Will be interesting to watch the Ducks goalie decisions, I can imagine Boudreau will start with Gibson but Andersen will be ready in needed to be called upon.
-Look for the young Ducks D to be active in the offense in this series, guys like Sami Vatanen, Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm.
-The Predators will rely heavily on Pekka Rinne to weather the storm of the Ducks offensive attack in this series.
-Shea Weber and Roman Josi will need to be at their best in this series, both offensively and defensively. They will be on the ice everytime Getzlaf or Perry is on.
-If the Predators want to pull off an upset in this series, the trio of Ryan Johansen-James Neal-Filip Forsberg will need to outscore the Ducks top guns.
-Look for the Predators to also be active on D, not just Weber and Josi but also Ryan Ellis and Matthias Ekholm as well.
Prediction: The Ducks are too strong and deep to lose in the 1st round, they will be too much for the Predators to handle
(DUCKS IN 5)
#2 St. Louis Blues vs. #3 Chicago Blackhawks
Season Series: St. Louis won the season series 3-2-0
November 4, 2015: St. Louis Blues 6, Chicago Blackhawks 5 (OT)
November 14, 2015: Chicago Blackhawks 4, St. Louis Blues 2
January 24, 2016: Chicago Blackhawks 2, St. Louis Blues 0
March 9, 2016: St. Louis Blues 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2 (SO)
April 7, 2016: St. Louis Blues 2, Chicago Blackhawks 1 (OT)
Players to Watch:
St. Louis: Vladimir Tarasenko, Alex Steen, Jaden Schwartz, David Backes, Kevin Shattenkirk, Colton Parayko
Chicago: Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Artemi Panarin, Brent Seabrook, Andrew Ladd, Duncan Keith
X-Factor:
St. Louis: Vladimir Tarasenko
Chicago: Patrick Kane
Team Leaders:
Goals: Patrick Kane - 46 (CHI), Vladimir Tarasenko - 40 (STL)
Assists: Patrick Kane - 60 (CHI), Paul Stastny - 39 (STL)
Points: Patrick Kane - 106 (CHI), Vladimir Tarasenko - 74 (STL)
Wins: Corey Crawford - 35 (CHI), Jake Allen - 26 (STL)
Shutouts: Corey Crawford - 7 (CHI), Jake Allen - 6 (STL)
Series Notes:
-Here we go again, another rivarly series between the Hawks and Blues who clash in the 1st round for the 2nd time in 3 years. History tells us the Hawks will win, but this matchup is always intriguing.
-Top storyline heading into the series is Duncan Keith being suspended for game #1.
-The top match up to watch in this series is sniper vs sniper, Patrick Kane vs. Vladimir Tarasenko. They were only two of four players in the NHL this season to score 40 goals, look for both to be at their best in this series.
-The Blues will need their top forwards to score in bunches to win this series, especially Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Alex Steen and David Backes.
-Look for the Blues to be very active offensively between Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk and emerging rookie Colton Parayko.
-Brian Elliott will likely get the start in net for the Blues, but Jake Allen is in the waiting if Elliott struggles (as he has in the past). Both goalies had great seasons for the Blues, but the Blackhawks create headaches for goalies and we could see Hitchcock change things up at some point.
-The Blackhawks enter this series having won the Stanley Cup 3 of the lat 6 years, including being the defending champions.
-Patrick Kane was the best player in the NHL this season, leading the NHL with 106 points (career-high 46 goals and 106 points). He's primed for another successful playoff run
-The line of Kane-Artem Anisimov-Artemi Panarin was one of the best in the NHL this season, will be interesting to see their impact in this series.
-With the addition Andrew Ladd the Hawks have a dominant top 6. In addition to the Kane line they have the Ladd-Toews-Hossa line.
-Look for the Hawks depth forwards to make an impact too, particularly Andrew Shaw, Teuvo Teravainen, Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann.
-Once Keith returns from his suspension, look for the reigning Conn Smythe winner and his D-partner Brent Seabrook to have another great playoffs.
Prediction: At this point, after 3 Stanley Cups in 6 years, I can't bet against the Blackhawks. The Blues must be shaking their head for getting the Hawks again, and they will be outmatched in this series.
(BLACKHAWKS IN 6)
#2 Los Angeles Kings vs. #3 San Jose Sharks
Season Series: San Jose won the season series 3-1-1
October 7, 2015: San Jose Sharks 5, Los Angeles Kings 1
October 22, 2015: Los Angeles Kings 4, San Jose Sharks 1
December 22. 2015: San Jose Sharks 5, Los Angeles Kings 3
January 24, 2016: Los Angeles Kings 3, San Jose Sharks 2 (OT)
March 28, 2016: San Jose Sharks 5, Los Angeles Kings 2
Players to Watch:
Los Angeles: Jonathan Quick, Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, Drew Doughty, Milan Lucic, Tyler Toffoli
San Jose: Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau, Joel Ward
Team Leaders:
Goals: Joe Pavelski - 38 (SJS), Tyler Toffoli - 31 (LAK)
Assists: Joe Thornton - 63 (SJS), Anze Kopitar - 49 (LAK)
Points: Joe Thornton - 82 (SJS), Anze Kopitar - 74 (LAK)
Wins: Jonathan Quick - 40 (LAK), Martin Jones - 37 (SJS)
Shutouts: Martin Jones - 6 (SJS), Jonathan Quick - 5 (LAK)
X-Factor:
Los Angeles: Jonathan Quick
San Jose: Brent Burns
Series Notes:
-This is my 2nd most anticipated series, and the series that could be the most physical in the 1st round.
-This series also has my two favourite defenseman in the NHL right now in Drew Doughty and Brent Burns.
-The Kings enter this series lead by goaltender Jonathan Quick, fresh off a career-high 40 wins.
-As always look for Drew Doughty to lead the Kings in this series, he will play top minutes against the Thornton/Pavelski line and offensively as well.
-The Kings will rely on their top 6 forwards of Carter, Kopitar, Lucic, Toffoli, Pearson and Brown to produce in this series. The Sharks are a strong offensive team and they need to match them.
-Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez both emerged as breakout players during the Kings 2014 Stanley Cup run, look for them to contribute offensively in this series.
-My sleeper in this series is Vinny Lecavalier, he has found his game again under Darryl Sutter and has valuable playoff experience.
-The Sharks enter this series lead by Jumbo Joe Thornton, fresh off one of the best years of his career with 82 points.
-Martin Jones had a career-high 37 wins this season, 3rd in the NHL. He get's a shot at his former team and former goalie-partner in Jonathan Quick.
-Much like the Kings, the Sharks will rely heavily on their top 6 forwards to produce, These are Thornton, Pavelski, Couture, Marleau, Hertl and Ward.
-The Sharks will need a big offensive impact from Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic to win this series.
Prediction: Kings and Sharks will faceoff in a heavyweight clash for the 2nd time in 3 years. We all remember in 2014 when the Sharks went up 3-0, only to lose 4 straight to the Kings who would go on to win the Stanley Cup. As I mentioned with Chicago, very hard for me to bet against LA even though I want San Jose to win. Ultimately, lead by Jonathan Quick, the Kings will move on.
(KINGS IN 6)
This would have Dallas, Anaheim, Chicago and Los Angeles moving on to the next round. The match ups would be as follows:
#1 Dallas Stars vs. #3 Chicago Blackhawks
#1 Anaheim Ducks vs. #2 Los Angeles Kings
Joel Forman - The Forman Faceoff
No comments:
Post a Comment