NHL Western Conference First Round Matchups

Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets 

The Colorado Avalanche (50-25-7) and Winnipeg Jets (52-24-6) have faced each other 3 times during the 2023-2024 regular season.

December 7, 2023 | Winnipeg Jets 4, Colorado Avalanche 2

The Winnipeg Jets opened up the game with a goal scored by Adam Lowry at Ball Arena. Jets’ Kyle Connor carried their momentum into the second period by scoring a goal which was answered back by Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon. Josh Morrissey extended the lead for the Jets, however, Avs’ Joel Kiviranta made it a one-goal game before the end of the second period. Connor secured the win for the Jets with an empty-net goal at the end of the third period. Connor Hellebuyck was in net for the Winnipeg Jets and had a save percentage of .941 after saving 32 out of 34 shots on goal. Alexandar Georgiev was in net for the Colorado Avalanche and had a save percentage of .889 after saving 24 out of 27 shots on goal. 

December 16, 2023 | Winnipeg Jets 6, Colorado Avalanche 2

Winnipeg Jets completely took control over the first period as Gabriel Vilardi and Vladislav Namestnikov scored two unanswered goals at Canada Life Centre. Alex Iafallo extended the Jets’ lead in the second period after scoring an unassisted goal. Jonathan Drouin capitalized on an Avs power play opportunity and scored the first Avs goal of this game. Jets’ Gabriel Vilardi answered back and Nino Niederreiter extended their lead once again. Jack Johnson put the Avs on the board again, however, Nikolaj Ehlers secured the win for the Jets. Connor Hellebuyck was in net for the Winnipeg Jets and had a save percentage of .938 after saving 30 out of 32 shots on goal. Ivan Prosvetov was in net for the Colorado Avalanche and had a .792 save percentage after saving 19 out of 24 shots on goal. 

April 14, 2024 | Winnipeg Jets 7, Colorado Avalanche 0

The Winnipeg Jets completely dominated Ball Arena after shutting out the Colorado Avalanche 7-0. Four goals were scored during the first period by Sean Monahan, Vilardi, Morrissey, and Adam Lowry. Jet’s Tyler Toffoli opened up the second period which was then followed by Monahan and Lowry scoring again in the second period to extend the Jets’ lead and win the game. Connor Hellebuyck was in net for the Winnipeg Jets and had a save percentage of 1.000 after saving all 30 shots on goal. Alexandar Georgiev was in net for the Colorado Avalanche and had a save percentage of .733 after saving 11 out of 15 shots on goal before being pulled and replaced by Justus Annunen who had a save percentage of .722 after saving 8 out 11 shots on goal.

Overall, we have seen the Colorado Avalanche struggle in the 23-24 regular season matchups against the Winnipeg Jets. In regards to goaltending, we can expect Connor Hellebuyck in net for the Jets and it will be interesting to see who the Avs will start in net for the playoffs. Although it may be expected for the Jets to win in the first round based on these previous matchups, the Avalanche still have a chance of making it to the second round with their star players and if their goaltending stays consistent. 

Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators

The Vancouver Canucks (50-23-9) and Nashville Predators (47-30-5) have faced each other 3 times during the 2023-2024 regular season.

October 24, 2023 | Vancouver Canucks 3, Nashville Predators 2

Canucks’ Ilya Mikheyev opened up the game at Bridgestone Arena after scoring in the first period. Colton Sissons answered back with an unassisted goal and tied the game for the Predators. Canucks took control over the second period as two goals were scored by Phillip Di Giuseppe and Nils Hoglander. Predators’ Kiefer Sherwood was able to make it a one-goal game after scoring in the second period. However, their push to tie the game fell short and resulted in a Canucks win. Thatcher Demko was in net for the Vancouver Canucks and had a save percentage of 0.889 after saving 16 out of 18 shots on goal. Juuse Saros was in net for the Nashville Predators and had a .875 save percentage after saving 21 out of 24 shots on goal.

October 31, 2023 | Vancouver Canucks 5, Nashville Predators 2

Sam Lafferty put the Canucks on the board first at Rogers Arena. Their lead was temporarily short-lived as the Predators closed out the first period with two goals that were scored by Sissons and Dante Fabbro. The Canucks made a comeback in the second period after Elias Pettersson scored two goals. J. T. Miller and Pettersson closed out the game with two goals to extend the Canucks lead and win the game. Thatcher Demko was in net for the Vancouver Canucks and had a save percentage of 0.931 after saving 27 out of 29 shots on goal. Kevin Lankinen was in net for the Nashville Predators and had a .846 save percentage after saving 22 out of 26 shots on goal.

December 19, 2023 | Vancouver Canucks 5, Nashville Predators 2

The Canucks opened up the first period at Bridgestone Arena with two goals which were scored by Pettersson and Nils Aman. Predators’ Jeremy Lauzon opened up the second period to make it a two-goal game. Canucks were able to extend their lead after Hoglander and Pius Suter scored during the second period. Teddy Blueger scored a goal and secured the Canucks win despite Predators’ Cody Glass scoring before the period ended. Casey DeSmith was in net for the Vancouver Canucks and had a .928 save percentage after saving 26 out of 28 shots on goal. Juuse Saros was in net for the Nashville Predators and had a .792 save percentage after saving 19 out of 24 shots on goal until he was pulled and replaced by Kevin Lankinen who saved all 11 shots on goal resulting in a 1.000 save percentage. 

In previous matchups during the 23-24 regular season, the Vancouver Canucks always came on top when they faced the Nashville Predators. In regards to goaltending, it looks like the Canucks can rely on both Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith to pull through. Given Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen performances in the past three regular season games against the Canucks, it will be interesting to see who the Predators will choose to start the playoffs. 

Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights

The Dallas Stars (52-21-9) and Vegas Golden Knights (45-29-8) have faced each other 3 times during the 2023-2024 regular season.

October 17, 2023 | Vegas Golden Knights 3, Dallas Stars 2

The first period remained quiet at T-Mobile Arena until Stars’ Craig Smith opened up the second period with a goal assisted by Thomas Harley and Tyler Seguin. Kaedan Korczak tied the game for the Knights before the end of the second period. The third period remained a tied game after Joe Pavelski momentarily extended the Stars lead until William Karlsson matched his goal and forced overtime. After a scoreless overtime, the teams went to the shootout which the Knights triumphantly won. Adin Hill was in net for the Vegas Golden Knights and had a save percentage of .923 after saving 24 out of 26 shots on goal. Jake Oettinger was in net for the Dallas Stars and had a save percentage of .941 after saving 32 out of 34 shots on goal. 

November 22, 2023 | Vegas Golden Knights 2, Dallas Stars 1

Michael Amadio opened the first period with a goal at American Airlines Center which put the Knights on the board first. Roope Hintz tied the game for the Stars which remained unanswered and forced the teams to go to overtime. Jack Eichel scored the game-winning overtime goal for the Knights. Adin Hill was in net for the Vegas Golden Knights and had a save percentage of .969 after saving 31 out of 32 shots on goal. Jake Oettinger was in net for the Dallas Stars and had a save percentage of .923 after saving 24 out of 26 shots on goal. 

December 9, 2023 | Vegas Golden Knights 6, Dallas Stars 1

The Knights completely dominated the third matchup with 3 goals scored during the first period, 1 goal in the second period, and 2 goals in the third period at American Airlines Center. The three goals in the first period were scored by: Chandler Stephenson, Zach Whitecloud, and Captain Mark Stone. The second period goal was scored by Nicolas Roy. The two goals in the third period were scored by Pavel Dorofeyev and Paul Cotter. The one goal scored by the Stars was by Evgenii Dadonov in the first period of the game. Logan Thompson was in net for the Vegas Golden Knights and had a save percentage of .950 after saving 19 out of 20 shots on goal. Jake Oettinger was in net for the Dallas Stars and had a save percentage of .778 after saving 21 out of 27 shots on goal.

The Vegas Golden Knights took control over previous matchups against the Dallas Stars during the 23-24 regular season. Both Knights goaltenders look to be strong options regardless of whoever ends up being the starting goalie when looking at the previous matchups. In regards to Stars goaltending, we have only seen Jake Ottinger in net in all previous matchups and although he did come close in overtime and the shootout, the Knights came up on top. It will be interesting to see who the Stars choose to battle in net against the Knights’ goaltending tandem. 

Edmonton Oilers vs. LA Kings

The Edmonton Oilers (49-27-6) and LA Kings (44-26-11) have faced each other 4 times during the 2023-2024 regular season.

December 30, 2023 | Edmonton Oilers 3, LA Kings 2

LA Kings took over Crypto.com Arena during the period of the game with two goals scored by Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe. The Oilers answered back during the second period and tied the game with goals scored by Captain Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. With a scoreless third period and overtime, this forced the teams into the shootout which resulted in an Oilers’ win. Stuart Skinner was in net for the Edmonton Oilers and had a save percentage of .929 after saving 26 out of 28 shots on goal. Cam Talbot was in net for the LA Kings and had a save percentage of .923 after saving 24 out of 26 shots on goal. 

February 10, 2024 | LA Kings 4, Edmonton Oilers 0

LA Kings took over Crypto.com Arena once again as they shutout the Oilers 4-0. Two goals were scored during the first period by Pierre-Luc Dubois and Trevor Lewis. The remaining two goals were scored in the third period by Quinton Byfield. David Rittich was in net for the LA Kings and had a 1.000 save percentage after saving all 26 shots on goal. Stuart Skinner was in net for the Edmonton Oilers and had a save percentage of .880 after saving 22 out of 25 shots on goal.

February 26, 2024 | Edmonton Oilers 4, LA Kings 2

Kings’ Trevor Moore opened up the first period at Rogers Place after scoring a goal assisted by Byfield and Andreas Englund. Zach Hyman answered back and tied the game for the Oilers before the end of the first period. Alex Laferriere temporarily made it a one-goal game for the Kings during the second period until Oilers’ Draisaitl tied the game. The Oilers took control of the third period and scored two goals scored by Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins which secured their win. Stuart Skinner was in net for the Edmonton Oilers and had a save percentage of .950 after saving 38 out of 40 shots on goal. David Rittich was in net for the LA Kings and had a 0.871 save percentage after saving 27 out of 31 shots on goal.

March 28, 2024 | Edmonton Oilers 4, LA Kings 1 

Captain Connor McDavid scored the first goal of the game during the first period at Rogers Place which was followed up by Adam Henrique extending the Oilers’ lead in the second period. Oilers’ Bouchard opened up the third period and Arthur Kaliyev answered back which put the Kings on the board. Cody Ceci scored an empty-net goal which secured the win for the Oilers. Stuart Skinner was in net for the Edmonton Oilers and had a save percentage of .969 after saving 31 out of 32 shots on goal. Cam Talbot was in net for the LA Kings and had a save percentage of .842 after saving 16 out of 19 shots on goal.

The Edmonton Oilers looked to have had the upperhand in matchups against the LA Kings as they had strong goaltending performances by Stuart Skinner. The LA Kings did come close in the shootout and have shut out the Oilers in the past, however, in the most recent matchups, they seemed to struggle to keep up with the Oilers. Both teams are not going to go down without a fight which makes for an anticipated upcoming matchup. 

Closing Thoughts

After looking at the previous matchups between the teams who have made it into the playoffs, who do you think is going to win and advance to the second round in the Western Conference?