Stanley Cup Playoffs 2023: Western Conference Is Anyone's Game After Colorado's Exit

There are four Western Conference teams remaining in the hunt for the Stanley Cup. Not amongst them, surprisingly, are the defending champion Colorado Avalanche who were ousted in seven games by the second-year franchise Seattle Kraken. This seems as wide open as it has ever been with all of these teams having a reasonable chance of advancing out of the West. Let’s take a look at the two Western Conference Semifinal matchups. 

Dallas Stars vs. Seattle Kraken

The Dallas Stars hold home-ice advantage in their matchup with a surprising opponent in the Seattle Kraken. 

Dallas holds the upper hand on paper as their 3.43 goals per game and 2.62 goals against were good for seventh and third in the league during the regular season. Seattle had a blistering offense in the regular season scoring 3.52 goals per game which was tied for fourth in the league but their defensive numbers were not as impressive as they finished tied 14th with 3.07 goals allowed per game. However, their SOG allowed was second best in the league, illustrating the struggles that goaltenders Philipp Grubauer and Martin Jones endured. Luckily for them, Grubauer played exceedingly well in their first-round series and if he can continue that trend, all of a sudden they will be a stifling two-way team. Whilst on the topics of goalies it would be irresponsible not to mention Jake Oettinger. The young yet experienced netminder of the Stars is the most trustworthy of all goalies remaining in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He took over their first-round series against the Wild giving up just three goals in the final three games. If Grubauer reverts to his regular season self, while Oettinger stays solid as he’s been all year, this could be over quickly. 

The speed and relentless forechecking and pressure that the Kraken possess has to be their calling card in this series. They simply don’t have the individual talent that the Stars do and can’t fall into the trap of a back-and-forth game with odd-man breaks for each team as the Stars are almost certain to convert more often. As they did with the Avalanche, the Kraken have to keep coming wave after wave and tire out the skilled players on The Stars. Simply put, for the Kraken to have a chance in this series, they’ll have to muck it up. 

For the Stars, coach Peter DeBoer will benefit greatly from having the final change whilst the Stars are at home in order to get guys like Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz favorable matchups. Miro Heiskanen will also be especially important to the Stars in this series. This sounds like an obvious statement as he is one of the best defensemen in the league but especially against a team like the Kraken who come at you hard shift after shift, his puck-moving prowess will be pivotal to starting breakouts and preventing Dallas from getting pinned in their own end. Dallas is also set to receive a big boost around game two or three of the series with Joe Pavelski set to return from concussion protocol. The Veteran forward is one of the best net front presences in the NHL and if Grubauer is on his game his services could be vital to the Stars’ offensive success. 

The Stars are fairly substantial favorites at -200 while the Kraken are hovering at +170 at most sportsbooks. Although I think the Kraken will put up a fight, ultimately the top-end talent and defensive responsibility of the Stars will prevail in what I believe will be a six-game series win for the Stars.

Vegas Knights vs. Edmonton Oilers 

The Pacific division-winning Vegas Golden Knights will attempt to keep Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the Edmonton Oilers at bay in the second Western Conference Semifinal.

The game plan for these two teams will likely be the exact opposite to one another. The fast-paced, highest-scoring team in the league Oilers will look to open the ice up and have the game be a free-flowing run-and-gun style. The Golden Knights on the other hand, partially because it’s in their DNA and also in part because no one wants to play that style of game with the Oilers, will look to keep the puck on the boards and have the matchup be a more physical, grit and grind type of series. 

Of course, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid will have to be the heads of the snake for Edmonton and will have to contribute more than their fair share of offense and even defensive responsibilities. After watching the Oilers past four playoff series, however, you can feel confident that they will get theirs no matter what the other team is doing. What will really be vital to the Oilers' success is their secondary scoring. Where will it come from and how often will it happen? Guys like Evander Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and even Evan Bouchard will have to contribute semi-consistent offense to help Edmonton past the Golden Knights. Rookie goaltender Stuart Skinner played solid overall in round one and will have to continue that trend going forward. He has been a lifesaver for the Oilers all season long and can’t allow the lights to get too bright as if they fall behind and begin trying to force things, they could be in trouble. 

For Vegas, first and foremost, they must do everything in their power to make it hard for Connor and Leon. They are bound to score their points but limiting their comfort level when in the offensive end and wearing them down game by game could frustrate them and help Vegas gain an advantage as the series progresses. Along with this, while greatly improved, the Oilers' blueline is still not a thing of beauty, and it is pertinent that the Golden Knights forecheck hard and get some solid offensive zone time as Edmonton can struggle at times clearing the zone when the opposing team has a solid cycle going. Ultimately for the Golden Knights, whatever they do, they will live and die with their precarious goaltending situation. Laurent Brossoit featured in all of 10 games in the regular season before finding himself as the go-to guy in their first-round series. He played quite well giving up just 13 goals in the five games against Winnipeg but will face a much tougher task with Edmonton. If Brossoit isn’t able to handle the Oilers' offensive barrage, Vegas doesn’t stand much of a chance. 

In what some may view as a surprise, the Oilers are -155 favorites while the Golden Knights are at +135 at most books. Personally, I think the offensive onslaught that the Oilers have been putting on teams all year long will be too much for Vegas to handle while Edmonton's improved blueline will be able to keep Vegas’ average offense at bay. I see the Oilers winning comfortably in five games and heading to the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a row.