Well, everyone, we have made it, the glorious 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here and this article is all about the breakdowns and who I think is winning in the first round. Western Conference you’re up first.

We start in big D where in round 1, we get a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals, as Dallas is taking on Vegas. While Vegas won that series and ultimately the Cup, this year it’s different as Dallas is the West’s top seed and Vegas got in with the second wild-card spot. Since the start of the year, Dallas has been a heavyweight out west and loaded from top to bottom and Vegas once again had the injury bug and used LTIR to their advantage getting Noah Hanifin and Tomas Hertl at the trade deadline in March. The one thing that can be good for Knights fan’s confidence is the fact they swept the season series in the regular season including a commanding 6-1 win on December 9th. However, I do think the playoffs go differently and I have Dallas in 7.

Off to Van city where it is a tale of two teams who weren’t expected to be here back in October but here we are. Vancouver VS Nashville. Vancouver won 10 of it’s first 13 games and Nashville was ready to be written off, sell there goalie Jussi Saros and got there U2 concert at the Sphere cancelled and went on an 18 point streak including 16 wins on route to a playoff berth. While both seasons can be viewed as a success, losing in the playoffs can and probably will leave a sour taste in whoever loses mouths. These two teams faced off in the 2011 playoffs and Vancouver won that, and I am giving Vancouver the upper hand here behind steller goaltender Thatcher Demko. Canucks in 6.

Third time may be the charm for the Kings as they will play the Oilers for the third year in a row in the first round and Edmonton won both of those series in 7 and 6 games respectfully. Edmonton also took 3/4 of the teams regular season meetings and look to go 3-0 VS LA in this sudden playoff rivalry. I think LA can win if they can slow down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl but I don’t they can unless we get Norris Drew Doughty again. Edmonton just has to simply stay patient with there game and not let the physicality get the better of them, aka how you slow down McDavid. Goaltender will also play a factor as both teams aren’t strong in the department so defence will be keys to who will win this series. For the third year in a r0w I have Edmonton taking this one in 6. LA will challenge but the Oil will be too much for the Kings.

We finish with a heavyweight fight between WInnipeg and Colorado. Colorado did win the cup in 2022, but last year both teams lost to eventual champs Vegas and Colorado at the hands of new kid on the block, Seattle in 7, both in round 1. Both teams will be ready to go looking to take flight and cause an Avalanche, ok enough of the puns. Both teams have there stars like Nathan MacKinnon, Mark Scheifele among others. The biggest X factor for this series will come down to if Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck can continue his Vezina goalie form or will Colorado workhorse Alexandar Georgiev regain his mid season form to help Colorado? Take Flight and embrace the White Out, Jets in 6.