Western Conference Qualifying Round Predictions

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

Roman Josi looks to lead the Nashville Predators on another quest to the Stanley Cup Finals. Image courtesy: NHL

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

The Calgary Flames look to right their wrongs from last year’s playoffs lost to the Colorado Avalanche. Image courtesy: NHL

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.