NHL Western Conference: Round 1 Preview and Picks
By ARI BAUM-COHEN
The Western Conference was the superior conference this season with seven teams earning at least 100 points.
Each team, however, has its own set of issues, whether it is a rookie goaltender (Chicago, Detroit), a lack of offense (Phoenix, Nashville), a banged up defense (Vancouver), inexperience (Los Angeles, Colorado), or a playoff curse (Joe Thornton, err, I mean San Jose).
To be used strictly for recreational purposes, here are my picks for each series.
Avs vs. Sharks (season series 2-2)
According to oddsmakers, this is the most lopsided matchup of the first round.
The Avs ended October 10-2-2 and goaltender Craig Anderson was named the player of the month.
Since then, Colorado has gone 33-28-7 and ended the season 3-7-3 over its final 13 games.
San Jose placed first in the Western Conference with a 51-20-11 record and finished the regular season on an 8-1-1 run.
San Jose has depth on offense and defense, and a top tier goaltender in Evgeni Nabokov. Every year, however, they falter in the playoffs.
The Sharks, and particularly Joe Thornton, seem to lack the confidence in the postseason that they exhibit during the regular season.
San Jose may not win the Stanley Cup this year, but they should get by the Avalanche with ease.
Series prediction: Sharks in 5.
Preds vs. Hawks (season series, 4-2 Chicago)
Nashville was not expected to make the playoffs, but has put together a solid regular season. The Preds also finished strong, ending the season on an 11-3-1 run.
Chicago is relying on rookie Antti Niemi to lead the way between the pipes. The 26 year-old won the starting job from Cristobal Huet and has posted seven shutouts in 34 games.
If the Preds have any chance to win this series, it will be because of Pekka Rinne. He will steal one, maybe two games, but the Preds will come up just short.
Series prediction: Hawks in 6.
Kings vs. Canucks (season series, 3-1 Vancouver)
Vancouver went from 11th in NHL scoring last year to being the top offensive team in the Western Conference. Defense and goaltending are the concerns for the Canucks.
The Canucks’ defensive corps is banged up and All-Star goaltender Roberto Luongo is having his worst season statistically since joining Vancouver. Luongo ended the season by allowing 17 goals in four games, and gave up at least three goals in seven of Vancouver’s final eight games.
Los Angeles has quietly amassed 101 points and has a mix of young stars and accomplished veterans. The Kings will continue to surprise, and will improve as the series with the Canucks progresses.
Series prediction: Kings in 7
Wings vs. Coyotes (season series 2-2)
Most people will be picking the Red Wings in this series, and it’s difficult to blame them.
The Wings ended the season on a tear, winning 17 of their last 22 games. They are finally healthy and have found a solution in net: rookie goaltender Jimmy Howard.
Because of Detroit’s perennial success and recent streak, it’s easy to forget the club is playing a team that won 50 games this season and finished ahead of them in the standings.
Phoenix is used to playing close games. The Coyotes won 29 times by one goal. Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov has had a phenomenal season, and Phoenix found scorers in trade deadline acquisitions for Wojtek Wolski and Lee Stempniak.
I think the right play is on the Coyotes.
Series prediction: Coyotes in 7