Dallas Stars netminder Jake Oettinger is welcoming the challenge ahead. The veteran goaltender is fully embracing what promises to be one of the most difficult playoff paths in recent memory.
The route through the Central Division to reach the Western Conference Final presents an incredibly demanding gauntlet for both Dallas and Minnesota. Despite ranking third and seventh respectively in NHL points this season, the Stars and Wild will clash in the opening round, with the victor potentially meeting the league-leading Colorado Avalanche in round two.
“If you can get through that and win it all, I think it just makes it that much better,” Oettinger said. “It just makes it more fulfilling.”
The Stanley Cup championship never comes without a fight, and even the Pacific Division bracket offers no relief. Edmonton, fresh off back-to-back Cup Final appearances, joins the Vegas Golden Knights, who surged with seven victories in their last eight contests after bringing in John Tortorella as head coach.
“It’s the most exciting time because everybody’s playing at a different level, and it’s a good test to see how high you can get as a team,” Tortorella told reporters in Las Vegas after the regular season finale. “Everything’s going to be amped up. As each game goes by in the series, it’s going to be harder and harder, and so it’s a great challenge.”
Colorado enters as the clear Western Conference favorite after capturing the Presidents’ Trophy. The Avalanche have dominated since October, boasting elite talents Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, while addressing their center position by reacquiring 2022 Cup winner Nazem Kadri before the trade deadline.
While home-ice advantage helps, carrying the top seed brings added expectations. Colorado players say they’re ready for that responsibility.
“Pressure is a privilege — it’s the old cliche, but it truly is,” forward Logan O’Connor said. “You just have to be dialed in the whole time, and I think that’s the challenge for any team. There can’t be any lapses. You can’t have any passengers. Everyone all in, all the time. I think we obviously have the capability to do that.”
Vegas claimed the Pacific Division title following their coaching change from Bruce Cassidy to Tortorella, who brings extensive postseason experience with 13 playoff appearances across four different franchises.
Dallas has reached three straight Western Conference Finals and possesses all the necessary pieces, particularly if star defenseman Miro Heiskanen returns to full health.
“It’s never a straight line to win all these things,” said first-year coach Glen Gulutzan, who was an Edmonton assistant when the Oilers made back-to-back trips to the Cup final. “You keep getting yourself back in the dance and win a round and win two rounds, and then finally you break through. Hopefully that experience is going to allow us to do it.”
Minnesota features superstar Kirill Kaprizov, who will soon begin the most lucrative contract in hockey history. Matt Boldy has emerged as another offensive threat on a roster that needs only center depth to become a legitimate Western Conference Final contender.
Labeling Connor McDavid and Edmonton as underdogs seems questionable given their recent Cup Final runs against Florida, but the team has logged significant playoff minutes. Strong goaltending and Leon Draisaitl’s return from his season-ending injury will be crucial factors.
The Utah Mammoth represent the West’s inspiring success story, reaching the playoffs in just their second season since relocating from Arizona. Playing without pressure could benefit a franchise simply celebrating their postseason berth in Salt Lake City.
Los Angeles dismissed coach Jim Hiller and found stability under interim leader D.J. Smith. The February acquisition of Artemi Panarin has transformed the Kings into a legitimate threat.
Could an LA-area team surprise everyone? Joe Quenneville’s championship pedigree has guided Anaheim into playoff contention, and his experience combined with young talent and Lukas Dostal’s goaltending could produce some upsets.
McDavid’s two-year, $25 million extension without a salary increase essentially gave Edmonton a two-season window to prove their championship credentials. The superstar could very well elevate his team to a third consecutive Cup Final appearance.
Colorado’s championship opportunity remains wide open, with captain Gabriel Landeskog returning from his chronic knee problems to support MacKinnon and Makar. Another title run like their 2022 championship seems possible.
Can Minnesota finally advance past the first round for the first time since 2015? The Wild have dropped eight straight opening-round matchups, but this season marked their first without being shut out, while adding Quinn Hughes on defense provides offensive confidence.
“There’s a lot of pushback with our team,” coach John Hynes said. “We have guys that can score. One of the things we talk about is trying to create offense in multiple ways.”
