Ducks vs. Jets: Preview and Prediction for the 2015 NHL Playoffs Matchup

Take a deep breath, walk your dog and relax while you can because the Stanley Cup playoffs are bound to cause some mild chest pains, nausea and other symptoms. The first round is always an exciting one, because there is a great sense of possibility for every team that was lucky enough to make the playoffs.

The Anaheim Ducks are set to take on the Winnipeg Jets, and it is a matchup that is bound to be an exciting one, especially because of the atmosphere for the games set to be played in Winnipeg.

With all of this in mind, let's dive right in to what is going to be a great matchup between the Ducks and Jets. 

Regular Season

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Anaheim Ducks: Under head coach Bruce Boudreau, the Ducks captured the top spot in the Western Conference for the second consecutive season, and they finished third in the race for the NHL's Presidents' Trophy. The Ducks' record of 51-24-7 tied them with the St. Louis Blues, but Anaheim held an extra win in the ROW column. Although it was a good season, the Ducks finished the 2013-14 season with 116 points, and they just missed out on the top spot in the league.

Winnipeg Jets: NHL playoff hockey will come to the city of Winnipeg for the first time since 1996, and the MTS Centre is going to be a boisterous one for all the games held at home for the Jets. Winnipeg finished the year with a record of 43-26-13 and had 99 points. The Jets made an impressive run during the second half of the season, and a 6-3-0 record helped them edge the Los Angeles Kings for the final playoff spot in the conference.

TV Information and Schedule

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Game 1

Thursday, April 16

10:30 p.m. ET

Winnipeg at Anaheim

CNBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

Game 2

Saturday, April 18

10:30 p.m. ET

Winnipeg at Anaheim

NBCSN, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

Game 3

Monday, April 20

9 p.m. ET

Anaheim at Winnipeg

Sportsnet, TVA Sports, NBCSN

Game 4

Wednesday, April 22

9:30 p.m. ET

Anaheim at Winnipeg

Sportsnet, TVA Sports, USA

Game 5*

Friday, April 24

TBD

Winnipeg at Anaheim

Sportsnet

Game 6*

Sunday, April 26

TBD

Anaheim at Winnipeg

Sportsnet

Game 7*

Tuesday, April 28

TBD

Winnipeg at Anaheim

Sportsnet

*If necessary.

Key Storylines

Playoff Hockey Returns to Winnipeg

The Jets have a reputation for having one of the loudest arenas in the NHL, and the fan base is very active during games. The fans infamously jeered Ryan Miller with a chorus of "silver medal, silver medal, silver medal," in reference to Miller and Team USA losing to Canada at the Vancouver Olympics. They also taunted the San Jose Sharks with a "who's your captain?" cheer.

The Ducks will head to Winnipeg for at least Game 3 and Game 4 of the series, and depending how Game 1 and Game 2 go, it could be a very raucous experience to endure. The Jets went 23-13-5 at home this season, so they know how to use the building as an advantage.

Will Ducks Continue Dominance over Winnipeg?

A lot has changed for both teams since January, when the Ducks and Jets ended their season series, and Anaheim will look to get off to a hot start. The Ducks were the top team in the Western Conference this year, and they were without key players like Corey Perry and Sami Vatanen for significant chunks of the season.

The Ducks swept the Jets this season, but that was without some of Winnipeg's newer weapons. Drew Stafford and Tyler Myers came from Buffalo after Evander Kane was shipped out, and both made a solid impact for the Jets.

The Ducks outscored the Jets 13-8 during the season series, and they will look to keep the winning streak going in Game 1.

Who Will Win the Goaltending Battle?

Frederik Andersen is expected to start in goal for the Ducks, as will Ondrej Pavelec for the Jets. Andersen finished the season with a record of 35-12-5, a 2.38 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.

Pavelec, on the other hand, went 22-16-8 with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. In years past he had played like a sieve, but he is in the zone right now. Pavelec ended the season with three shutouts in a row, and he is certainly coming into the playoffs with confidence.

Andersen and the Ducks statistically appear to be the better team, but will a reborn Pavelec propel Winnipeg to the second round?

Players to Watch

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Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg Jets

The captain of the Jets is a proven playoff veteran who was a member of the Carolina Hurricanes when they defeated the Edmonton Oilers in the Cup Final, and the Chicago Blackhawks when they hoisted the Stanley Cup over the Philadelphia Flyers. Andrew Ladd led the Jets in scoring this season with 62 points, and he tallied six game-winning goals throughout the season.

Sami Vatanen, Anaheim Ducks

Sami Vatanen is a skilled puck-moving defender who is a key asset on the Ducks' power play. He finished fifth in team scoring by tallying 37 points in 67 games. He is a tremendous skater and playmaker, and he could be an impact player against the Jets.

Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets

Blake Wheeler is a 6'5", 225-pound power forward who finished second in team scoring with 61 points for the Jets. He is a lethal scorer, and he can send a message by laying an opponent out with a thunderous check or two. Wheeler moves well for a big man, and it will be interesting to see how the Ducks try to shut him down.

Goaltender Breakdown

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Frederik Andersen, Anaheim Ducks

The 25-year-old from Denmark had an impactful year on the Ducks, and he even tied an NHL record. He picked up his 50th career win in his 68th game, which tied a record set by Bill Durnan of the Montreal Canadiens on December 16, 1944. The Ducks netminder finished the year with a record of 35-12-5, a 2.38 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.

Ondrej Pavelec, Winnipeg Jets

Ondrej Pavelec was the starter for the Jets, and he eventually lost the job to Michael Hutchinson after a stretch of horrendous performances. He sat on the sidelines for a bit, but he ultimately regained his confidence and job in the process. Pavelec finished the 2014-15 regular season with a record of 22-16-8 with a 2.28 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage, and he was a big reason why the Jets clinched a playoff spot.

Biggest Mismatch: Scoring Depth

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The Winnipeg Jets are a deeper and more balanced team when it comes to scoring. The Jets had six forwards with at least 40 points and two with 60 points. Brian Little finished with 52 points in 70 games, and he likely would have entered the 60-point club if he stayed healthy.

Ryan Getzlaf led the Ducks with 70 points, Corey Perry came in second with 55 points in 67 games, Ryan Kesler finished third with 47 points and then there's a drop to Jakob Silfverberg, who had 39 points.

Although the Ducks as a team scored 236 goals to Winnipeg's 230, they may be unable to match the scoring depth that the Jets carry throughout their top nine.

Ducks Will Win If Ondrej Pavelec Falters and Perry and Getlzaf Do Their Thing

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If Ondrej Pavelec falters, the Ducks will be able to steamroll the Jets. Michael Hutchinson is a good goalie, but the Jets have spent a significant amount of time trying to help Pavelec earn his confidence. For better or for worse, this could likely be Pavelec's series regardless of the outcome.

Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler are three impact forwards who can set the tone early, and they have the potential to make this a short series. Pavelec has played out of his mind lately, but he could lose confidence if the Ducks are able to jump all over him in Game 1.

The Ducks need to play with a "going for the jugular" mindset, because the Jets are a team that came back from a near-three-count pinfall numerous times throughout the season. Perry and Getzlaf are the two best players in the series, and they will need continue their dynamic partnership to propel the Ducks past the first round.

The 2003 first-rounders have been two of the Ducks' best players in franchise history, and they could hold a number of team records by the time they retire.

Jets Will Win If Offense by Committee Continues and Byfuglien Is a Monster

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Dustin Byfuglien is a scary man.

The Jets' offense by committee was impressive this season, and that is something that could give them an edge in five-on-five situations. The depth on each line could lead to favorable zone starts and matchups, and it is a strategy that could be used to isolate the Ducks' best players.

In addition to that, the 6'5", 265-pound wrecking ball that is Dustin Byfuglien can impact this series. If he is able to play with an edge and avoid supplemental discipline, he could wear down the Ducks' top forwards. He almost got the book thrown at him after a beheading attempt on J.T. Miller, and he will likely tone things down in the playoffs, where suspensions are amplified.

Prediction: Jets in Six

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The Anaheim Ducks are a good team, but their coach, Bruce Boudreau, has never led a team past the second round. This series features a pretty even goaltending battle, a fairly close defensive battle and a forward battle that slants toward Winnipeg.

The Ducks may have two elite forwards in Perry and Getzlaf, but the Jets' ability to throw out quality, two-way scoring threats makes them extra dangerous. Look for the series to be pretty close, but ultimately Winnipeg's better all-around lineup will give it the edge to move on to the second round.

Stats via Hockey-Reference.com and NHL.com.