Nashville Predators: Western Conference Qualifying Round Predictions
107. Prediction. 2. 112. 3
This series presents the age-old problem of picking a winner between an 8-seed (Flames) and 9-seed (Jets). This matchup up could genuinely go either way.
Both teams flirted all season with the wildcard bubble.
The Flames have some firepower in young stars Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. The Flames lost the only regular season meeting between these two teams.
It’s going to take an enormous defensive effort from the Flames to keep the score low enough to keep up the Jets. They’re going to have to be opportunistic in the scoring chances they get and capitalize.
The Jets have a defensive weapon in goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who also happens to be a Vezina Trophy finalist. The Jets were on a four-game win streak before the season was paused.
This one is a toss-up. My deciding factor is the fact that Tkachuk plays for the Flames. I will be rooting for the Jets and think they have enough offensive weapons at the top with Blake Wheeler, Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine to make this a potent attack that the Flames just won’t be able to keep up with.
WINNER – Winnipeg Jets in 5
104. Prediction. 3. 98. 2
The Wild will be my upset pick for the Western Conference Qualifying Round. They’re gradually becoming a legit contender in the Western Conference, and shouldn’t be overlooked despite being outside the wildcard spots when the pause happened.
The Canucks are the No.7 seed and an up-and-down team for much of the season. They look like the best team in their division occasionally, only to morph back into just another wildcard team.
Calder Trophy finalist Quinn Hughes had 53 points in 68 games this season. Electric forwards Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser, along with Hughes, are looking to make their first appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Wild have had a turbulent season that includes a coaching change and the loss of veteran Jason Zucker at the trade deadline. They caught a hot streak before the season was paused and went on a four-win tear.
Kevin Fiala, the former Nashville Predators, played exceptionally well and can be credited with helping the Wild claw their way into the qualifying round. They’re a surprise team of the Central Division.
The Wild are a scrappy team that plays a fast-paced game. On the other hand, the Canucks have a young, but raw team that may not be suited well for these unique circumstances. I’m taking the Wild in another series that takes the full five games.
WINNER – Minnesota Wild in 5
148. Prediction. 1. 94. 3
This one is a pretty easy pick for me. I just can’t see the Blackhawks being able to do much in this series. They’re too young and inexperienced, despite having some storied veterans still hanging around to make things interesting.
The Oilers have had a strong season and are the No.5 seed. They narrowly missed making the cut of the top-four teams for the round robin play, coming up three points shy of the Golden Knights.
Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are studs that most teams have a hard time containing. With the best power play in the NHL and the second-best penalty kill, I see the Oilers making some noise in the playoffs.
For the last team into the 24-team format, the No.12 seeded Blackhawks have uncertainty with their goaltending at the moment. Corey Crawford has missed all of training camp after being deemed “unfit to play or participate”, but he’s making a comeback per the Chicago Tribune.
Better late than never, but the Blackhawks are still weak in this important area of the ice. Especially considering the offensive juggernaut they’re up against with Edmonton
The Blackhawks will need their stars, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat to have a big series if they have any hope of advancing. They’re a storied team that has won the Stanley Cup multiple times.
Chicago might steal one game in this thanks to their veteran stars that have a history of making noise in the playoffs, but it ends there.
The Oilers, led by two of the very best in the NHL, are just too big of a hurdle for them to clear in this qualifying round. But it’s going to be fun and entertaining to watch two storied franchises battle it out.
WINNER – Edmonton Oilers in 4
2. 121. 3. 151. Prediction
The Coyotes are a tough defensive team with excellent goaltending. Darcy Kuemper will be ready in goal after suffering an injury during the season. Antti Raanta will be prepared in goal as well. If Taylor Hall and Phil Kessel get hot on offense, the Predators had better watch out.
The Predators have a veteran group led by Norris Trophy finalist Roman Josi. He and the other defenseman must match the Coyotes defensively. Most of the Predators’ core group was together during the Stanley Cup Finals run in 2017.
After struggling this season, the Predators need their high-paid forwards to come out firing on all cylinders. A lot is riding on the performance of the top two offensive lines. They should easily overtake what the Coyotes have in terms of forwards, aside from Hall, Kessel and rising star of Clayton Keller.
3 Things that Have Stood Out from Preds Training Camp. light. More
The Predators must get pucks to the net accurately and shoot often against a Coyotes team that lives, and sometimes dies, by its defensive play. They don’t make many mistakes and will do everything to make this a low-scoring, and maybe boring, series.
Veteran goaltender Pekka Rinne has struggled this season but has extensive playoff experience. Juuse Saros had an incredible second half of the season but has no playoff experience. Picking a starting goaltender will be a tough decision for Head Coach John Hynes.
These two teams played twice this year, splitting the wins. Unfortunately, the Coyotes blew the Predators off the ice in the first meeting with a 5-2 victory. The Predators got revenge in December and beat the Coyotes 3-2.
This whole series will depend on which Predators team shows up to play. Judging by what I’ve heard and seen in training camp, the Predators will be just fine, even if it takes five games to win.