TheGoldSeat

After clinching the Northwest division with 98 points the MN Wild will open the 2008 playoffs as the #3 seed. The Wild will face off against a familiar rival the #5 seeded Colorado Avalanche.

After breaking down the the other 3 Western Conf. matchups I will make this prediction - The Wild will play in the Conference Finals. Here’s how:

The playoffs are re-seeded after each round. If everything follows the chalk then the Wild would face the #2 seed San Jose Sharks. But the Sharks are the playing a feisty Calgary team that went 3-1 this year against the Sharks. I’m not saying this will hold up in the playoffs but it does show the Sharks have struggled with the Flames. The real reason I think the Flames with upset the Sharks is the schedule. The NHL has scheduled the opening two games to be played Wed & Thurs. back to back. I believe this will only help with the momentum one of the team creates in game one as they will play again without a practice or much time for adjustments. The Flames have been very inconsistent this year but San Jose has a history of blowing up in the playoffs. If the Flames get something going they could win the series.

If the Flames pull the upset the Wild would then face the #4 or #5 seed Anaheim or Dallas. The Wild have a winning record against both. The Flames would play the Red Wings. If the Wild win again they will play the Red Wings in the Western Conference Finals. I only see this playing out if the Flames can somehow upset the #2 seeded Sharks. If they do, the Wild should be playing in Detroit later this year.

Then again if a goalie gets hot and starts standing on his head anything can happen. My 2008 Playoff Prediction - Wild vs. Wings in the West, Canadiens vs. Caps in the East. The Red Wings end up having too much and beat the Capitals in six.