By William Parocai ’27
It’s that point of yr as soon as once more. The search for Lord Stanley kicked off this previous Saturday with the St. Louis Blues (WC2) struggling a 5-3 defeat by the hands of President’s Trophy profitable Winnipeg Jets (C1). I’m going to interrupt down the entire Western Convention first spherical matchups full with strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for every group.
Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues
Common Season Sequence: Winnipeg 3-1
Winnipeg Jets (C1)
The Winnipeg Jets are coming off of a historic common season exhibiting which noticed them elevate the President’s Trophy for the primary time in franchise historical past. Their spectacular report of 56-22-4 reveals that this group is aware of learn how to win video games. The Jets boast sturdy veteran forwards like Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor who’s coming into the playoffs following a profession excessive 97 level common season. Moreover, the Jets additionally come into this matchup with the identical stout protection and distinctive goaltending that allowed them to carry opponents to solely 2.33 targets per sport. They arrive into the playoffs sizzling with a 7-3-0 report of their final 10 video games.
Weaknesses
Regardless of their strengths, Winnipeg has not established themselves as a robust playoff performer over the previous couple of seasons. Final season regardless of placing up a formidable 52-24-6 report they bowed out of the playoffs in simply 5 video games to the Colorado Avalanche. Moreover, a week-to-week harm to prime ahead Nikolaj Ehlers poses further issues for the Jets if they’re to make a deep playoff run. Whereas this season feels totally different the Jets merely haven’t carried out effectively in the course of the playoffs, solely making it out of the primary spherical as soon as for the reason that 2019-2020 season.
X-Issue
Goaltending is the X-factor for the Jets. Connor Hellebuyck has been lights out this season posting an unbelievable 47 wins (8 Shutouts) on .925 Sv% and a couple of.00 GAA. These stats have allowed the Jets to dominate the NHL and made Hellebuyck the frontrunner for the Vezina Trophy. Whereas playoff consistency has been a thorn in Hellebuyck’s aspect, this season feels totally different.
St. Louis Blues (WC2)
The St. Louis Blues have had a rollercoaster of a season and seemed to be out of the playoffs earlier than a late push that noticed them win 12 straight video games. Their report of 44-30-8, whereas not notably spectacular, allowed them to clinch the ultimate wild card spot within the Western Convention. The Blues have gamers similar to Jake Neighbours and Philip Broberg who’ve put up profession excessive level totals this season. These breakout gamers together with dependable backstop Jordan Binnington have allowed the Blues to succeed in the playoffs for the primary time for the reason that 2021-2022 season. The Blues have continued their profitable methods by means of the again half of the season coming into the playoffs with a 7-2-1 report of their final 10 video games.
Weaknesses
The Blues come into the playoffs with quite a lot of questions. This group is younger and inexperienced in contrast to their opponent. Whereas the Blues are coming in sizzling they seemingly merely wouldn’t have the depth or expertise to maintain up with the league main Jets. Whereas Binnington has been unbelievable in purpose and has prior playoff expertise, I don’t suppose the Blues will be capable of include the firepower of the Jets.
X-Issue
The Blues X-factor is consistency and streakiness. The Blues have proven that they will go on a heater and win video games. In the event that they wish to overpower the Jets on this matchup they’re going to want to proceed that late season magic that allowed them to make the playoffs.
Prediction time
I believe the firepower of the Jets will probably be far an excessive amount of for St. Louis to deal with. The Jets have a dynamic offense, stout protection and lights out goaltending. Whereas I believe St. Louis will steal a sport with a Binnington masterclass I’m taking the Jets in 5.
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
Common Season Sequence: Colorado 2-1
Dallas Stars (C2)
The Dallas Stars are coming into the playoffs as harmful as ever, the Stars have made the playoffs a number of years in a row together with again to again Western Convention Finals appearances and a Cup Last look in 2020. This group is effectively rounded and boasts sturdy veteran gamers similar to Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene and the returning Tyler Seguin. Dallas has a robust protection led by distinctive penalty killer Esa Lindell and younger breakout participant Thomas Harley. Beginning goalie Jake Oettinger is strong in web and solely provides to the already formidable protection of the Dallas Stars. Moreover, Dallas acquired star ahead Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes on March seventh. Rantanen is a extremely expert ahead that provides depth to the Stars lineup and will definitely add each playoff expertise and a scoring contact to the Stars already loaded lineup.
Weaknesses
The Stars have proven that they will carry out within the playoffs. Nevertheless their opponent is among the most expert groups within the league. Dallas should make the most of its depth to fill a gap left by younger star ahead Jason Robertson’s week-to-week lower-body harm. This premature harm and the ability of the opposition Avalanche may trigger points for the Stars on this matchup.
X-Issue
The X-factor for the Stars is their particular groups. Dallas has boasted a few of the finest energy play and penalty kill numbers within the league and for the Stars to enter the deeper rounds this yr they want their particular groups to proceed clicking like they had been within the common season. Capitalizing on these energy performs and shutting down opposition possibilities with their elite penalty killing will permit the Stars to manage the sport and switch it of their favor.
Colorado Avalanche (C3)
The Colorado Avalanche are coming into the playoffs because the third group from the loaded central division. This group has playoff expertise and two of one of the best gamers within the league in star heart Nathan MacKinnon and prime defenseman Cale Makar. The Avalanche have a strong effectively rounded group with quite a lot of extremely expert gamers. The addition of Martin Necas and Jack Drury in a blockbuster transfer with Carolina allowed the Avalanche to retool and add depth to their offense. Moreover, Colorado can also be seeing the return of veteran Gabriel Landeskog who has not performed an NHL sport for the reason that 2020-2021 season resulting from a severe knee harm.
Weaknesses
Regardless of the Avalanche having a excessive energy offense that scores quite a lot of targets additionally they have given up fairly a number of targets. The Avalanche have seen a goaltender carousel this season however have appeared to seek out their starter in Mackenzie Blackwood. Whereas Blackwood has been fairly good since coming over from the San Jose Sharks, he lacks playoff expertise. Moreover, backup goalie Scott Wedgewood has solely 3 video games of NHL playoff expertise with 0 wins in these video games. These goaltending points may trigger points for the Avalanche as they attempt to take care of the firepower of the Dallas Stars on this first spherical matchup.
X-Issue
The X-factor for the Avalanche must be star defenseman Cale Makar. Makar is an elite defenseman that controls the sport together with his agility and passing. His skating means permits him to create performs from the purpose and discover open teammates. Makar is a deadly shooter, he led all NHL defensemen posting an insane 30 targets in the course of the common season. This offensive means alongside together with his shutdown defensive means will create issues for the Stars as they appear to close down this prime expertise.
Prediction time
We’ve ourselves a matchup proper right here. Two excessive powered offenses and strong protection on the backend for each of those groups ought to make this sequence an in depth one. Regardless of their star energy I believe that the depth and goaltending of the Dallas Stars will give them the sting on this one I’m taking Dallas in 6.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
Common Season Sequence: Vegas 3-0
Vegas Golden Knights (P1)
The Vegas Golden Knights are again. Posting a formidable 50-22-10 report Vegas has stormed into the playoffs as the highest seed within the Pacific. Led by star heart Jack Eichel and breakout participant Pavel Dorofeyev, Vegas has been proven to be a formidable opponent all season. Adin Hill has grow to be a main starter in purpose and flourished in his new function placing up a strong .906 Sv% and spectacular 2.47 GAA. The Golden Knights plan to deliver that success into the playoffs as they appear to enhance upon their first spherical exit to the Stars final season. Nice group chemistry, a prime powerplay and depth scoring have allowed this group to prime the Pacific division.
Weaknesses
Regardless of an excellent season, Vegas has struggled with some harm points, notably with forwards Mark Stone and Tomas Hertl. To ensure that Vegas to go deep into the playoffs they want these two to remain wholesome and carry out on the prime of their stage. Moreover, The Golden Knights have a lackluster penalty kill share of 75.7%. This might trigger points for the Golden Knights in the event that they discover themselves down a person at essential occasions.
X-Issue
The X-factor for Vegas must be the facility play, Vegas boasts the second finest energy play within the NHL they usually have a group centered energy play that depends on everybody taking part in their half. Vegas makes use of their expert facilities and defenseman Shea Theodore to create choices and offense from each the blueline and behind the purpose. Passing is vital right here as Vegas dominates energy play possession and creates multi-chance alternatives on offense resulting in targets.
Minnesota Wild (WC1)
The Minnesota Wild have made their return to the playoffs after a one yr hiatus. Regardless of star ahead Kirill Kaprizov struggling an harm earlier within the season, the Wild retooled and clinched a playoff berth. With Kaprizov returning, it solely enhances Minnesota’s possibilities to attain the upset and go deep into the playoffs. Stable forwards similar to Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov pose a severe scoring risk that Vegas must counter. Moreover, veteran defensemen like Jonas Brodin and veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury may permit the Wild to exorcise these first spherical demons and attain the second spherical for the primary time since 2015.
Weaknesses
Regardless of the promise of Kaprizov’s return, the Wild nonetheless have obtrusive manufacturing and particular groups points. Their penalty kill share of 72.4% is among the many worst within the league and when put up towards a excessive octane energy play like Vegas has it might be a significant downside for the Wild. This weak PK% mixed with the dearth of scoring the Wild have seen may see them despatched residence early this yr.
X-Issue
The X-factor for the Wild is none apart from Kirill Kaprizov. The 27 yr outdated put up 56 factors in 41 video games performed earlier than accidents sidelined him for half of the season. As a artful ahead, Kaprizov opens house and creates offense together with his capturing and passing means. His play creation earlier than his harm was the primary driver of Minnesota’s offense. Regardless of his harm, the Wild had been in a position to choose up the slack and make the playoffs however his efficiency will probably be paramount to the success of the Wild on this powerful first spherical matchup.
Prediction time
The Vegas Golden Knights are one powerful group. I don’t suppose the Wild can attain that type of stage even with Kaprizov getting back from harm. Vegas seems to be like a well-oiled machine and the Wild appear to be a group that may win a sport or two. Marc-Andre Fleury steals one however Vegas in 5.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Common Season Sequence: Los Angeles 3-1
Los Angeles Kings (P2)
The Los Angeles Kings come into the playoffs after a terrific common season marketing campaign. The Kings, one of the best residence group within the league, have stymied opponents with powerful protection, nice goaltending and powerful shot blocking. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper has had an unbelievable bounce-back season after placing up lackluster numbers with the Capitals final yr. They are saying that protection wins championships and by that metric it is secure to say the Kings have a shot. Veterans Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar have led their group to be among the finest within the league in group protection.
Weaknesses
Regardless of their success at residence, the Kings have struggled on the highway with a 17-19-5 report by means of the common season. To reach the playoffs you must present you could win on the highway. Moreover, regardless of their lockdown protection their purpose manufacturing has struggled at occasions helped none by their paltry energy play which ranks twenty seventh within the NHL at a low 17.9%. These components together with the truth that scoring drops off a bit within the playoffs could also be a supply of concern for the Kings.
X-Issue
The X-factor for Los Angeles must be protection, particularly group protection. The protection of the Kings is why they’re nearly as good as they’re. Los Angeles clogs capturing lanes and frustrates opposition forwards by blocking pictures and taking away passing lanes. This will additionally create counter assaults and odd-man rushes going the opposite approach resulting in excessive hazard possibilities. Taking away lanes to the web and passing choices goes to be essential to stopping the deftly expert forwards Edmonton has at their disposal. If this group can discover methods to close down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl they will shut down anybody on their approach to the cup.
Edmonton Oilers (P3)
The Edmonton Oilers have two of one of the best forwards within the league with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl this alone makes them a risk to anybody within the playoffs. Along with McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers even have defensemen that may management the play of the sport and shut down opposition attackers. The Oilers are a deadly group that has proven resolve in adjusting regardless of accidents all through the season.
Weaknesses
The Oilers have 2 main questions of their goaltending and accidents, regardless of the group having good defensive metrics. The goaltending of starter Stuart Skinner has been mediocre at finest. Skinner put up profession worst numbers with a .896 Sv% and a 2.81 GAA. The disconnect between the protection and goaltending for the Oilers is an issue that have to be addressed if the Oilers wish to go deep into the playoffs. Accidents have additionally plagued the Oilers. Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and Jake Walman are listed as out with day-to-day accidents that would jeopardize group efficiency. Moreover, Mattias Ekholm has been dominated out till at the very least the second spherical forcing Edmonton to rely extra on gamers which have much less playoff expertise.
X-Issue
The X-factor for the Oilers is star heart Connor McDavid this must be no shock to anybody the ahead is broadly acknowledged because the NHL’s finest participant and for good cause. McDavid is a extremely expert heart able to creating offense from a number of locations on the ice. Whether or not by means of within the impartial zone or within the offensive zone McDavid facilitates the Oilers offense by means of house creation and passing permitting him and his teammates to create excessive hazard possibilities and discover purpose scoring alternatives.
Prediction time
We’ve the Oilers and Kings dealing with off in spherical one for the fourth yr stright. Excessive powered offense vs. elite shutdown protection: what might be higher than that! The Oilers have proven resolve regardless of quite a few accidents however the Kings protection seems to be like a cement wall. Goaltending is an element right here and never in Edmonton’s favor. Whereas the Oilers will stretch this one out with their superstars, they are saying protection wins championships so I’m taking the Kings in 7.
