2024 NHL Western Conference Second Round Playoff Predictions

The first round of the NHL playoffs intrigued and entertained many viewers. In the west, the reigning Stanley Cup champions were eliminated after a seven game series versus Dallas. After a wild game one 7-6 loss, Colorado crushed Winnipeg on every side of the puck. Vancouver keeps winning even if Thatcher Demko or Casey DeSmith doesn’t start in net, and the Oilers power-play stayed hot against one of the league’s best defenses in Los Angeles. Four fantastic teams will show audiences why they made it this far, but only two will advance to the conference finals. It’s time to predict which two have the best chance of advancing to the conference finals.

#4 Edmonton Oilers v. #2 Vancouver Canucks

Both western Canadian teams in this series have top ten scoring offenses and are dangerous on the power play. They’re both great on the penalty kill and play lockdown, physical defense. Vancouver proved last round they can hang with and play better against aggressive veteran teams like Nashville. The Canucks also won by getting depth scoring from players like Nikita Zadorov. Likewise, Edmonton’s progress under coach Kris Knoblauch continued after the regular season. The Oilers improved their 1-4 defensive “trap” coverage (a conservative forecheck strategy involving one forechecker in deep and four skaters along the blueline. The one center forechecker, pressures the puck while both forwards and defensemen hang back ready to defend. This formation is designed to prevent rushes and breakaways towards your goaltender), leading to a more aggressive defense. This frustrates opposing offenses used to playing at a faster pace. 

Despite the number of offensive playmakers on both teams, this should be a defensive series that again requires depth scoring from third and fourth lines. Both teams are aggressive, but Vancouver can switch their offensive tempo from fast to slow better than Edmonton. The Oilers have struggled against the better constructed Canucks before and after Knoblauch’s promotion. Coach Rick Tocchet also knows how to get the most out of his roster and get his team to switch up their coverages to maximize the defensive pairings. This should work well against the Oilers offense and special teams.

Prediction: Canucks win series 4-1

#4 Colorado Avalanche v. #1 Dallas Stars

This is the best matchup in the conference. Colorado surprised viewers with their scoring barrage against the best defense in the league last round. Dallas played one of the best series in the round one, knocking off the defending champs in a full seven games.

One of the best changes Avalanche coach Jared Bednar made in round one was having the offense play a north-south game against Winnipeg’s defense. Surrounding and boxing in the Jets defense led to a barrage of goals, half of which Vezina candidate Connor Hellebuyck couldn’t see. The defense around Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger can play with better spacing, but that technique won’t work on a defense that faced a more deeper, physical offense last round. Colorado needs more depth scoring from Zach Parise, Casey Mittelstadt, Ross Colton and former Star Andrew Cogliano to get past a more veteran Dallas defense.

Depth scoring could show which team wins this series. The above names are solid players, but the Stars had eight 20+ goal scorers for many reasons. This is the most balanced team on both sides of the puck remaining in the west and unlike Winnipeg, Dallas will make quicker changes to stay ahead of Colorado.

Prediction: Stars win series 4-2

NHL western conference first round playoff predictions: 2-2