NHL Playoff Predictions 2012: Bold Predictions for West's 1st Round

The No. 1 seeded Vancouver Canucks are going to be pushed to the brink of elimination in the first round of the 2012 NHL playoffs.

That's just one outcome that's going to help make this an exciting opening playoff round for the Western Conference—a round that will be chock full of compelling action.

Here are three things we have to look forward to. 

Jonathan Quick Will Force the Canucks into 7 Games

The Kings are going to stay competitive in this series for one reason: goalie Jonathan Quick. 

The high-powered Canucks posted the best record in the West largely by being the highest scoring team in the conference. Vancouver will be facing a Kings team that allowed the second fewest amount of goals in the West.

L.A.'s defense will give the Canucks fits and Quick will make sure the chances they do get are not successful. Quick finished fifth in the NHL in save percentage, and he will step up his game in the playoffs.

Unfortunately for he and his teammates, the Kings have difficulty scoring and will lose in a low scoring, seven-game series.

The Sharks Will Upset the Blues

The Blues roll into the playoffs as the second seed after an amazing season.

The team has the talent to make a run at the Stanley Cup. The problem is St. Louis will not be able to advance past the playoff-savvy Sharks. 

San Jose had a disappointing regular season, but they have to be tired of the formality of the regular season at this point. This is the same Sharks team that is fresh off of back-to-back runs to the Western Conference finals.

San Jose is ready to turn it up a notch in the playoffs, and the Blues will be the victims of this. 

Predators Will Sweep the Red Wings

The matchup of the fourth and fifth seeds is supposed to be the most compelling series in the first round.

This particular matchup will be the most lopsided. 

The Predators had a strong second half of the season, taking the next step in their progression and will be chomping at the bit to prove that against the flailing Red Wings. 

Detroit has won just four of their last 10 games, and enter the playoffs having lost two straight—a bummer because it means the Wings are about to end their season on a six game losing streak.