NHL Playoffs: Western Conference preview

Any NHL player, coach, or fan will tell you that the regular season doesn't mean jack once the playoffs get underway. To an extent, that is very true. But when we look at the matchups for Round 1, all we really have to rely on is how these opponents fared against each other during the regular campaign. Such is the case for the four matchups out West — although the first round matchups weren't even set until a crazy final night of games that few saw coming. Here's a look at the Western Conference teams participating in Round 1 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Las Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings
Regular season record: Four game series was split at two games a piece.

Big storyline heading in: Vegas' inaugural season success continues to grab headlines as they head into the franchise's first playoff run. But it's anyone's guess how'll they'll fare against a tough LA team rebounding from missing last year's playoffs — and are coming in hot behind captain Anze Kopitar's Hart Trophy worthy campaign.

X-factors:  While scoring will certainly catch fairweather hockey fans' attention, this series will likely come down to the guys between the pipes. With seasoned veterans Marc-Andre Fleury and Jonathan Quick posting up at either ends of the ice, the series' highlight reel will likely consist more of killer saves than anything else.

Anaheim Ducks vs San Jose Sharks
Regular season record: San Jose took three of four games in the regular season series.

Big storyline heading in: This is probably one of the most evenly matched series in Round 1. These California rivals know each other very well, and played three of their four games in the regular season incredibly close. (Three of the four tilts went to the shootout.)

X-factors:  The health factor on both teams will play a huge role all series. San Jose was on fire after the trade deadline, but faltered a little towards the end when new acquisitions Eric Fehr and Evander Kane were sidelined. (And who knows if we'll see Jumbo Joe Thornton in these playoffs.) Anaheim has its own injury woes, with Cam Fowler missing up to six weeks with a shoulder injury and goaltender John Gibson missing the last three games of the regular season with an upper body injury of his own.

Nashville Predators vs Colorado Avalanche
Regular season record: Nashville swept the regular season series, four games to none.

Big storyline heading in:  The Avs have been getting all the press lately because of how they bulldozed their way into the playoffs behind Hart Trophy hopeful Nathan MacKinnon. But they have plenty of work ahead of them as they face off against last season's Western Conference champ — and this season's President's Trophy winner.

X-factors: The series starts at Bridgestone Arena, where the Predators went 28-9-4 during regular season play. Withe more forward line depth than Colorado, Nashville has the opportunity to jump to an easy lead in the series. But that also means slowing down Colorado's top line of MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Mikko Rantanen.

Winnipeg Jets vs Minnesota Wild
Regular season record: Winnipeg won three of four games in the regular season series.

Big storyline heading in: Playoff experience is always a storyline for Round 1. No more so now since the Jets have never won a playoff game, and the young roster that clinched second place in the Central Division may be the team to do it. They'll host a Wild squad who ended the regular season strong despite being bit by the injury bug.

X-factors:  Both teams boast forward line depth — Winnipeg has Patrik Laine on the second line, for Pete's sake — so defense may be the deciding factor here. Minnesota would have an easy edge in this department if it weren't for losing Ryan Suter for the season with a fractured ankle, and not knowing for sure when Jared Spurgeon will be back.