With the advent of daily fantasy hockey there is less prognosticating that goes into a playoff pool than what was the case in the past, though correctly picking the winning team can certainly add to fantasy success.
We’ll now take a look at the top prospects for the Western Conference Playoffs. We like the St. Louis Blues to get past the Minnesota Wild, the Nashville Predators to give the Chicago Blackhawks a scare, and the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets to be upset threats as well.
LW – Andrew Ladd – Winnipeg
The Jets will face the Anaheim Ducks in the opening round in what is an intriguing matchup. The Ducks had the top record in the Western Conference but had a goal differential of only +10. Anaheim is loose on the back end with a rank of 20th in the NHL for goals against. The Ducks and head coach Bruce Boudreau are famous for playoff failures. This all adds up to the Jets being a potentially dangerous commodity. Ladd was the Jets leading scorer with 24 goals, 38 assists, and plus-nine.
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C – David Backes – St. Louis
The Blues, much like Anaheim, are also famed for playoff disasters but there is a sense that this year could be different. St. Louis plays a Minnesota Wild team that was among the best in the NHL down the stretch. But we are going with an experienced St. Louis team that is at its peak. Backes had 26 goals and 32 assists on the season with a plus-seven. If the Blues are to indeed advance their team captain will be an essential part of that success. Backes brings edge to his game that could prove to be vital in a playoff series against a hot team like Minnesota.
RW – Vladimir Tarasenko – St. Louis
The Blues lacked a finisher in their playoff loss to the Chicago Blackhawks last year but Tarasenko looks like the answer to that problem. Tarasenko had a breakout season for the Blues with 37 goals, 36 assists and an insane plus-27. The first round against Minnesota and red hot goaltender Devan Dubnyk will not be easy but we are banking on Tarasenko to be a difference after such an impressive and, at times, dominant regular season.
D – Shea Weber – Nashville
The Predators face the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs and could prove to be a dangerous opponent. Nashville boasts the defensive corps and goaltending that is vital for success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Weber is an elite defenseman that is often in the conversation of being the best in the game. Weber finished the season with 15 goals, 30 assists and a plus-15. What is most impressive about Weber’s numbers is that they were accumulated against the opposition’s top lines.
D – Dustin Byfuglien – Winnipeg
The Jets captain, Byfuglien has developed into an elite defenseman that is among the best in the game. Big Buff can deliver body blows, a howitzer shot, and can make plays. We expect the Jets to give Anaheim all that they can handle and Byfuglien is a big reason why as the best defenseman on the ice in the series. Byfuglien finished with 18 goals, 27 assists and a plus-five on the season.
G – Pekka Rinne – Nashville
We believe that Nashville can upset the Blackhawks in the opening round of the playoffs and Rinne is a big reason why. Rinne is one of the top goaltenders in the game and a truly elite asset that can steal games. Rinne finished with a save percentage of .923 on the season with a 2.18 goals against average and four shutouts.
Sleeper – Johnny Gaudreau – Calgary
The truculent Flames would simply not go away and fold in the face of adversity and Gaudreau is a big reason for their success. The Flames left winger is a Calder Trophy candidate for Rookie of the Year. Gaudreau played his best hockey down the stretch when Calgary had to fight for a playoff spot without team captain and top defenseman Mark Giordano. Gaudreau finished the season with 24 goals, 40 assists, and a plus-11 to prove that there is still room in the NHL for small but highly mobile players.
