2014 NHL Playoffs Round 1 Preview: Western Conference

(P1) Anaheim Ducks vs. (W2) Dallas Stars

There is not much doubt that the Ducks have an edge in offense, but Dallas' young core haven been pretty impressive this season. In net, Lehtonen gives the Stars an advantage. The Ducks changed it up, going with Andersen in net after Hiller's recent struggles. Dallas won the season series 2-1. Dallas has been the better possession team, while the Duck are considered the luckiest team in the league (tops in PDO). This series can be considered a coin flip, and my coin landed on Dallas. Stars in six.

(P2) San Jose Sharks vs. (P3) Los Angeles Kings

Remember last year's series? Can we have that again? This will definitely be one of (if not the) best series of the first round, with the top Californian heavyweights go at it. These teams are pretty evenly matched across the board. The Kings are the better possession team, so chances are they'll end up the eventual winners. Still, its hard to count out the Sharks. Sharks in seven.

(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (W1) Minnesota Wild

Colorado have a bit of an advantage on offense while Minnesota have a clear victory on defense. In goal, Varlamov will try to continue being hot in the playoffs, while Bryzgalov holds down the fort in the Wild's net (as a side note: I predict that the losing goalie gets the call for Russia). It's no secret that the Avs have been riding high on goaltending this season and have yet to show signs of actual regression. Minnesota is the better possession team, and it seems like long enough that Colorado has avoided the odds of falling off. Wild in six (and MacKinnon gets sent back to Halifax so they win another Memorial Cup).

(C2) St. Louis Blues vs. (C3) Chicago Blackhawks

Another series that will be entertaining. Chicago has a slight edge on offense and defense. The most interesting matchup may be in goal, as Crawford has been average but Miller has somehow gotten worst when he was traded to St. Louis. Chicago is the better possession team, but I can see St. Louis wearing them down as the series goes on. The longer the series goes, the more it favours the Blues. Blues in seven.