(1) Winnipeg Jets vs (WC1) Minnesota Wild

It was a much improved season in Minnesota this year. While many of the BRHL's elite pundits had the Wild in the lottery again this season, GM Al Wehr went out and acquired the help necessary to get himself into the playoffs. Additions such as Jonathan Toews, Tomas Tatar and Mats Zuccarello paid dividends as they were amoungst the teams leading scorers. Unfortunately, their first round opponent will prove to be too much for them. While I've never been a fan of the Jets team, it is the better of the two in this matchup. The one big advantage for Winnipeg starts on the back-end. It's what wins this team games as all starting 6 are above average defensively. Doughty, Cole, Zaitsev, Benn, McNabb and Edmundson make life for opposing teams hell, while the team looks to be rolling with a 7th defensemen in Mike Green for the power play. The advantage also comes in net as Price has been the better goaltender then Dubnyk. With that said, there is no backup behind Price. If Minnesota can get to Winnipeg early, and pile on the shots, it can be a rough series for Price who will most likely need to play a few games fatigued.

Prediction: Winnipeg Jets in 6


(2) Colorado Avalanche vs (3) Dallas Stars

In one of the toughest series to predict, the reigning Champs will have a tough task in round 1. On paper, both teams are evenly matched. While the Stars have some of the best two way forward groups in the league, they are facing off against one of the best offenses in the league. The Aves can roll out 3 very deep lines. The Stars cannot match the offense on the bottom 2 lines and will look to their defensive play to keep the Aves at bay. On defense, the Avalanche also have the advantage by having a great crop of defensive defensemen. The addition of Erik Karlsson was huge here as it gives the Aves some more offense to go with Trouba, Klefbom and Suter. The Stars defense is no slouch, but once again it cannot match the depth of the Aves. In between the pipes, it's hard to compete with the leagues best goaltender, Ben Bishop. Adding Howard at the deadline was huge and gives the Stars a safety net. If the Stars win this series, it's because of goaltending.. and they very well could..

Prediction: Colorado Avalanche in 7


(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs (WC2) Chicago Blackhawks

It was supposed to be a rebuilding year in Chicago, but it turned out more like a re-tool. The Blackhawks were competitive all season long thanks to the strength of Robin Lehner. Unfortunately, this will be an overwhelming series for Dave to overcome. The team is weak down the middle with Danualt, Kerfoot and Nielsen as it's top 3 C's. Pair that up with an underwhelming wing group which consists of just Landeskog, Galchenyuk, Eberle and Johnson, and you have a team who is a longshot to come out on top. Dave's been a winner before, so you cannot discredit that, but Joe's team is looking like the best it's ever been. Larkin, Eichel and Horvat down the middle is filthy. They are paired up with Forsberg, Radulov, Silfverberg and Hornqvist. On Defense, they have the leagues best defensemen in John Carlson. As well as top 10 D in Alexander Edler and Shea Weber.. I haven't even mentioned Provorov. The Knights are the class on the league when it comes to their defense. The Hawks lone advantage here is in net. Lehner will have to be sharp to steal this series.

Prediction: Golden Knights in 5


(2) Edmonton Oilers vs (3) Los Angeles Kings

A lot of talk this year on most improved as gone to Al and his Minnesota Wild, but the Edmonton Oilers quietly had a fantastic year. Leon did a great job of improving his roster with the likes of Connor McDavid and Steven Stamkos. This team is poised to do well. With that said, you cannot count out Rumpy in the playoffs. His team always seems to do well. They forced a game 7 on the Knights last playoffs and they could very well do the same here. The Oilers are deeper up front, on defense and in goal. It's crazy to think that for some reason I expect this to be the upset of the first round. There is no logically reason as to why I think Rumpy will win this as his team is just inferior to the Oilers.. but favorites never go 8 for 8 in round 1.

Prediction: Los Angeles Kings in 7