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Western Conference Semifinals preview: Predators, Golden Knights on collision course?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 4/24/18

Unlike the never-ending matchups taking place in the Eastern Conference, the West has been set for Round 2 for quite some time. In fact, one series has been set for a week thanks to both teams completing sweeps of their first-round opponents.

Players have been well-rested, and coaches have had ample time to dissect the opposition. Now all that's left is to finally get the guys on the ice and start playing. Here's a look at what the Western Conference Semifinals will look like.

Nashville Predators vs. Winnipeg Jets

Regular-season record: Nashville took three of five tilts in the regular-season series. In their final meeting, Winnipeg won 5-4 in a shootout.

Big storyline heading in: In their return to the playoffs after losing in the Stanley Cup Final last season, the Predators showed that their retooled forward attack was strong enough to halt the Avalanches' Nathan MacKinnon line. Their big test lies ahead in a Jets team that is much deeper than Colorado and rolling after snagging the team's first playoff series victory in franchise history.

X-factors: Again, these are two teams that can roll out four lines without much in the way of drop-off. The season series featured a few high-scoring games, so how these two teams adjust defensively will play a big role. Just look at how the Nashville defense was able to stymie a hungry Colorado squad in Game 6. Can the Preds do that against the talented Jets?

How each team imposes its physicality could make a big difference — especially as we go deeper into the playoffs when the officials often appear to swallow their whistles a bit.

Las Vegas Golden Knights vs. San Jose Sharks

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Regular-season record: Las Vegas took three of four tilts in the regular-season series by two goals or less, with two games settled in overtime.

Big storyline heading in: On one hand, this Sharks team is faster and stronger than the team that went to the Stanley Cup Final two years ago. Of course, the big focus is still on Vegas, the darling of the hockey season. San Jose appears to be perfectly fine with that.

"I know we're going to be heavy, heavy underdogs, so I hope you guys write that," Sharks bench boss Peter DeBoer joked with the press following Round 1.

X-factors: Speed is the name of the game here. Both these teams swept their Round 1 opponents by being faster. Having two speedy teams on the ice will no doubt put more pressure on goaltenders Mar-Andre Fleury and Martin Jones — both of whom were difference makers for their squads in the first round.

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