western conference round 1 preview

The NHL playoffs get underway on Wednesday.This is a preview of the First round of matchups.




western Conference 

Nashville Predators VS.  Colorado Avalanche 
The first matchup features the 2017 western conference champions Nashville predators fracing a team that is returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.  They are in the second wild card and look to play spoiler.


The Nashville Predators are the top seed in the west and have home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.  This is a big improvement from last year.  Last Year they where the second wild card and they went to the Stanley Cup Finals.


My Prediction 

 I'm interested To see how this series will play out 2 young teams.  One with lots of experience the other with not a lot of experience.  I think in the end it will be Nashville winning this in 6



Winnipeg Jets Vs. Minnesota Wild 

the second matchup in the west is between the Winnipeg Jets and the Minnesota Wild.


The Jets have made the playoffs for the second time in their short franchise history.  The Jets finished second in the division this year their opponent for the first round finished right behind them


The Minnesota Wild have made the playoffs for the 5th  straight year.  This year they enter in the third spot in their division.


My prediction 
This series will be tight,  These teams have competed hard against each other all year and I expect nothing less in the playoffs.  I think this series will come down to playoff experience and situational hockey.  I will take the Wild in 7 games to move on.



Vegas Golden Knight Vs. La Kings 

 The next matchup in the west is between the Vegas olden KNights and the LA Kings

The Vegas Golden Knights are the newest addition to the NHL.  They have caught the NHL by surprise this season they have the second best record in the west and one of the best records in the league.

  A lot of their success has come from the man in net.  Marc Andre Fleury has been great for the Knights in net this year.  His play will have a big factor in how far they go into the playoffs.


The Los Angeles King is making a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after missing the postseason last year.  Thier success is also been because of a goaltender's actions.  Goaltender Jonathan Quick has carried a once Struggling team to the playoffs.  Jonathan Quick will be a big part of winning this series.





My Prediction 

  This will be a hard hitting series and I think the better goaltender will win.  I predict the Vegas Golden Knight to win their first playoff series in their franchise history.  Golden Knights in 5 games.



Anaheim Ducks Vs San Jose Sharks 


The final matchup in the west is between the ANahiem Ducks and the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks enter the playoffs as a wild card. They are returning to the playoffs for the third year in a row.  Two years ago.  Last year they had a disappointing run with a first round loss to the Edmonton Oilers.


The Anaheim Ducks finished second in the Pacific division.  Like the Sharks, they have a lot of playoff experience.  Last year they went to the Western Conference final but lost to the Nashville Predators.


My prediction 
this is a good series to watch two western powers battling it out in the first round.  This is what I love about the new way that the NHL is doing the payoffs each round gets better and better.  Even though they have some major roles missing from their lineup I will pick the Ducks to win this series in 7 games

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