2022 Western Conference Playoff Preview
Colorado vs Nashville
Why Colorado is Gonna Blow It
They have a lot of guys who can do stupid things and they also employ Jack Johnson. That’s literally it.
Why Nashville is Gonna Blow It?
It’s not so much “blowing it” as it’s “conservative defensive team carried by stars getting their ass kicked by an unstoppable force”. The Preds could have a much better team and they’d still get crushed. They could have a better coach and they’d still get crushed. They could have both and still get crushed. With Jusse Saros hurt they’re probably going to get obliterated since the one potential difference maker might not be able to make said difference.
So Who Will Come Out On Top?
This feels like even more of a foregone conclusion than Florida vs Washington
Prediction?
Colorado in 3
Calgary vs Dallas
Why Calgary is Gonna Blow It
Calgary and Dallas have one thing in common- their offense is extraordinarily skewed towards their top lines. If that top line can’t score maybe Dallas has a way into the series?
Why Dallas is Gonna Blow It?
This team isn’t great and the gap in coaching is just as continental as the one between Colorado and Nashville. If shit doesn’t work out Bowness is just gonna sit back and trap against a team that grinds their opponents into dust. There is no chance to catch a team that does what they try to do only in a more competent and functional way.
So Who Will Come Out On Top?
Yeah these matchups are really lopsided
Prediction?
Calgary in 4
Minnesota vs St. Louis
Why Minnesota is Gonna Blow It
This series feels has some extreme “unstoppable force meets immovable object” vibes to it with St. Louis’ offense going up against Minnesota’s defense. The Blues have a lot of guys who can score and win games by creating dangerous shots and the Wild have a defense that lets no one near the dangerous areas. The analytics darling is facing off against a team that’s defying analytics and seemingly cracking the “shot quality” nut. This always feels like disaster for the analytics darling.
Why St. Louis is Gonna Blow It?
Their defense sucks and the best they could do to upgrade it was adding Nick Leddy. Heck, trading Leddy for Walman might have been a downgrade since Walman’s been respectable and Leddy’s washed. Justin Faulk’s been their best defensman and it’s not so much based off merit (even if he’s actually been good) but moreso everyone else has sucked monumental ass. The Wild don’t give up shots regardless of who’s on the ice. The Blues are an okay defensive team with Ryan O’Reilly on the ice and pretty terrible any time he’s not there. The Wild aren’t just a dominant defensive team, they have offensive firepower- if O’Reilly’s dealing with Kaprizov then who’s going to take Kevin Fiala? Plus if Ville Husso shits the bed the guy they’d be going to has spent the past two post-seasons shitting the bed.
So Who Will Come Out On Top?
This series isn’t as close to call as Carolina vs Boston but it feels way closer despite the Wild being the better team on paper. As good as the Wild are they just don’t seem to have St. Louis’ Devil magic. Still, this match feels like it’s gonna be brutal for both teams and whoever comes out on top will be rewarded by getting bodied by Colorado.
Prediction?
Wild in 7
Edmonton vs Los Angeles
Why Edmonton is Gonna Blow It
Mike Smith has gone on a hot streak and looks like the starter for the Oilers. If there’s anything that spells disaster for your team it’s Mike Smith starting a game. Plus if there’s one team that’s uniquely suited to giving the Oilers fits, it’s the Kings. It’s great having McDavid and Draisaitl on your team but how much of an advantage is that going to be when the other team has Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault?
Why Los Angeles is Gonna Blow It?
The Kings are a mirror image of the Oilers- extremely top heavy with a liability filled bottom 6. Granted, the Kings’ bottom 6 are mostly liabilities because Todd McLellan’s fully commited towards playing a conservative scheme that doesn’t get anything out of their younger players. The difference is one team has a generational talent and a top 5 player. Plus the Kings are really going to struggle with Drew Doughty out since he’s really the only guy on that roster who can do something with the puck on the back end- and more importantly is the only guy the coach trusts to do anything with the puck on the back end.
So Who Will Come Out On Top?
Jay Woodcroft has managed to make a flawed Oilers team look really good by moving away from the stodgy defensive hockey that Dave Tippett tried using. Todd McLellan’s had to rely on heavy hockey to get the most out of a flawed Kings team and has succeded. The Kings might stand a chance if their goalie wasn’t a washed Jonathan Quick or if they had Doughty. But they don’t and McLellan’s refusal to try something risky might be what breaks their neck.
Prediction?
Oilers in 6
