As NHL waits to resume, TGH started to look at the Eastern Conference qualifying round. Keep in mind that these matchups are for teams seeded 5-12 and they will play in a best-of-five series. Now, it’s time for the Western Conference qualifying round predictions from every matchup. Like the Eastern Conference predictions, key players, predicted scores and winners in each series will all be revealed.
No. 5 Oilers vs. No 12. Blackhawks
Key Players:
Oilers: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl
Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane
Predicted Scores:
Game 1: 3-1 Oilers
Game 2: 2-1 Oilers
Game 3: 1-0 Blackhawks (OT)
Game 4: 2-0 Oilers
Winner: Edmonton Oilers
No. 6 Predators vs. No. 11 Coyotes
Key Players:
Predators: Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg
Coyotes: Taylor Hall and Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Predicted Scores:
Game 1: 2-1 Coyotes
Game 2: 2-1 Predators
Game 3: 1-0 Predators (OT)
Game 4: 2-0 Coyotes
Game 5: 3-2 Predators (OT)
Winner: Nashville Predators
No. 7 Canucks vs. No. 10 Wild
Key Players:
Canucks: Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser
Wild: Zach Parise and Kevin Fiala
Predicted Scores:
Game 1: 2-1 Canucks
Game 2: 2-0 Canucks
Game 3: 1-0 Wild (OT)
Game 4: 2-1 Canucks (OT)
Winner: Vancouver Canucks
No. 8 Flames vs. No. 9 Jets
Key Players:
Flames: Johnny Gaudreau and Mark Giordano
Jets: Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele
Predicted Scores:
Game 1: 2-1 Jets
Game 2: 1-0 Flames
Game 3: 3-2 Flames (OT)
Game 4: 2-0 Jets
Game 5: 1-0 Flames
Winner: Calgary Flames
The Western Conference is probably the more competitive conference, which should make these games very entertaining to watch. Also, teams in the Western Conference seem to have a bit more offensive upside than the other conference. In the end, the Stanley Cup Playoffs should end up having teams (on both sides) with firepower offense and hard nose defense.