NHL Power Rankings: Chicago vs. Vancouver and Top First-Round Playoff Matchups

Now that the NHL playoffs are just three weeks away, the talk of potential match-ups starts to swirl around in the media.

Some of these potential first-round match-ups are solid, but the teams don’t have a history or the intrigue isn’t there.

Other match-ups are steeped in rivalries or there has been plenty of competition in the best that has breeded anger and spite.

While all of the first-round series will be fun to watch, certain series could be absolutely epic.

Enjoy!

8. Phoenix Coyotes vs. Los Angeles Kings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 03: Rob Scuderi #7 of the Los Angeles Kings plays the puck behind the net under pressure from Vernon Fiddler #38 of the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game at Staples Center on March 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings d

No. 4 Phoenix Coyotes vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Kings

Keys to the series

Phoenix Coyotes, Ilya Bryzgalov: The Phoenix Coyotes will go as their starting goalie Ilya Bryzgalov goes. He has a goals against average of 2.50 and a save percentage of .921. The real testament to his strength this season is that he is tied for second in the NHL with 34 wins.

Keys to the series

Los Angeles Kings, replacing the production of Anze Kopitar: When Kings’ star forward Anze Kopitar went down recently with a broken ankle, their chances in the playoffs took a big hit. If the Kings want to make up his production, they will need plays like Captain Dustin Brown, veteran Ryan Smyth and defenseman Drew Doughty to step up offensively.

Analysis

While Phoenix ranks 11^th in the NHL with 2.79 goals a game, Los Angeles is seventh in the league with a goals against average of 2.39. It’s a classic case of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object, which will give?

7. Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 25: Ryan Callahan #24 of the New York Rangers stakes with the puck in front of John Erskine #4 of the Washington Capitals duirng the second period at the Verizon Center on February 25, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr

No. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. 7 New York Rangers

Keys to the series

Washington Capitals, Alex Ovechkin: Alex Ovechkin has had a down year this season, but with 77 points, that’s still not bad. He has come around lately and started to show the offensive prowess that could help the Capitals win a series against the Rangers.

Keys to the series

New York Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist: The key to every game for the Rangers is Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers depend highly on Lundqvist’s consistency and he hardly ever lets them down. This season, he has managed another amazing year with 33 wins, a goals against average of 2.24 and a save percentage of .924.

Analysis

The Washington Capitals have played the New York Rangers four times this season. The Rangers have won three of four games and have had two shutouts against one of the best offensive teams in the league. The Capitals are getting hot at the right time, but the Rangers won’t be an easy out by any means.

6. Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 05: Tim Connolly #19 of the Buffalo Sabres and Chris Pronger #20 of The Philadelphia Flyers during their game on March 5, 2011 at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

No. 1 Philadelphia Flyers vs. No. 8 Buffalo Sabres

Keys to the series

Philadelphia Flyers, goaltending: While the Flyers goaltending tandem of Brian Boucher and Sergei Bobrovsky have been solid all year, both posting top 15 numbers as a tandem, there are still questions. While Boucher has some experience in the playoffs, Bobrovsky has never played in a pressure situation like the NHL playoffs before.

Keys to the series

Buffalo Sabres, timely scoring: The Buffalo Sabres started the season very slow in the offensive end, but they have climbed all the way into eighth in the NHL in goals per game with 2.89. The Sabres will need solid production from players like Thomas Vanek, Tyler Ennis and newly acquired Brad Boyes.

Analysis

While an eighth seed facing a one seed always looks lopsided, this meeting is closer than it appears. The Sabres have played the Flyers three times so far this season and the Flyers have taken two of three. The fourth matchup will be Friday, April, 8^th and a big preview of what could be an exciting first-round matchup.

5. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 05: Tyler Kennedy #48 of the Pittsburgh Penguins shoots and scores past Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 5, 2011 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 5 Tampa Bay Lightning

Keys to the series

Pittsburgh Penguins, Marc-Andre Fleury: After a rough start to his 2010-2011 season, Fleury has really turned it on. In the wake of losing two of the biggest stars in the NHL, Fleury has taken it upon himself to keep the team in contention. He is tied for second in the NHL with 34 wins, a stellar save percentage of .920 and a goals against average of 2.28.

Keys to the series

Tampa Bay Lightning, Dwayne Roloson: One of the biggest surprises of this season was the move for Dwayne Roloson from the Islanders to the Lightning. Roloson has been solid in net for Tampa Bay, but for the Lightning to make a deep run they need consistent, quality netminding.

Analysis

I went on record saying that if the Pittsburgh Penguins lost Sidney Crosby for the season, they wouldn’t make the playoffs. Not only have they gotten to fourth in the Eastern Conference, they have done it without Evgeni Malkin as well. The Lightning have been very streaky this year and I think this matchup could be even more intriguing if Crosby makes a return.

4. San Jose Sharks vs. Nashville Predators

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SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 8: Sergei Kostitsyn #74 of the Nashville Predators on a break away has the puck slapped away by Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 of the San Jose Sharks in third period of an NHL hockey game at the HP Pavilion on March 8, 2011 in San Jose, Cali

No. 3 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 6 Nashville Predators

Keys to the series

San Jose Sharks, Antti Niemi: While the Sharks lost one of the better goalies in the NHL in Evgeni Nabokov, they brought in the defending Stanley Cup Champion goaltender in Antti Niemi. He has managed 31 wins, a goals against average of 2.46 and a save percentage of .917. The Sharks will need continued consistency to make a run at the Cup.

Keys to the series

Nashville Predators, timely scoring: The leading scorer for the Predators is the captain and leader of the defense Shea Weber. When a defenseman leads the team in points, they need more production from their forwards. Players like Patric Hornqvist, David Legwand and J-P Dumont need to step up offensively if they want to beat the tough San Jose Sharks.

Analysis

The San Jose Sharks have a new netminder and a new style of defense. Last season, they were sent home early again and the window maybe closing for the team. The Predators play a strong defensive game with solid goaltending that could be troublesome for the Sharks. In the four games the teams played against each other, they each won two and all games were won by one goal. This could be the closest of all the matchups.

3. Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 24: Nathan Horton #18 of the Boston Bruins takes the puck as Tomas Plekanec #14 of the Montreal Canadiens defends on March 24, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

No. 2 Boston Bruins Vs. No. 7 Montreal Canadiens

Keys to the series

Boston Bruins, Tim Thomas: Tim Thomas is a lock for this year’s Vezina Trophy for most outstanding goaltender and the success of the Bruins in the playoffs will rest on Thomas’ shoulders. Of the goaltenders that played in at least 15 games, Thomas is first in goals against average (2.00), first in save percentage (.939) and tenth in wins (32).

Keys to the series

Montreal Canadiens, playing physical: The Montreal Canadiens give up a lot of size to the Bruins, but if they play very physical they could even the playing field. The team needs players like Andrei Kostitsyn, Travis Moen and P.K. Subban to start finishing their checks with authority against the Bruins and not to let Boston walk all over the Canadiens.

Analysis

With the added drama from the Max Pacioretty incident and the subsequent beating the Bruins put on the Canadiens recently, this matchup has gotten personal. The Bruins are a tough team that will try to push the smaller Canadiens around. While the Canadiens have a ton of speed and talent, Tim Thomas could be the ultimate equalizer.

2. Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim Ducks

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 02: Bobby Ryan #9 of the Anaheim Ducks scarries the puck towards the goal against the Detroit Red Wings on March 2, 2011 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The Ducks won 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

No. 2 Detroit Red Wings vs. No.7 Anaheim Ducks

Keys to the series

Detroit Red Wings, goaltending: While a recent scare with Jimmy Howard had some Red Wings faithful chewing their nails, it seems from all reports that he will be fine for the playoffs. With a solid defense and stellar two-way forwards, the Red Wings look to keep as much pressure off of Howard as possible.

Keys to the series

Anaheim Ducks, solid defense: With the return of Jonas Hiller to the Ducks starting lineup, the focus turns to playing solid defense in front of him. The Ducks have the leading scorer for defensemen in Lubomir Visnovsky and the NHL’s top plus-minus player in Toni Lydman. If the Ducks can play solid defense all-around, they could give Detroit trouble.

Analysis

There is no team that matches up better in the NHL against the Red Wings than the Anaheim Ducks. The Red Wings have taken three of four games this season against the Ducks, but the Ducks are playing some of their best hockey lately. The Ducks got back starting goalie Jonas Hiller, but the Red wings have the talent to score on anyone.

1. Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 4: Bryan Bickell #29 of the Chicago Blackhawks tries to get past Christian Ehrhoff #5 of the Vancouver Canucks during the first period in NHL action on February 04, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

No. 1 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 8 Chicago Blackhawks

Keys to the series

Vancouver Canucks, health: The problem for the Canucks all season has been keeping the defensive group healthy. The other night, offseason free-agent acquisition Dan Hamhuis was hit awkwardly and received the second concussion this season. While his status is unclear, there is a good chance he is done for the season and the Canucks will once again have to patch up their defensive group. Good thing they had practice.

Keys to the series

Chicago Blackhawks, timely scoring: The Chicago Blackhawks are the defending Stanley Cup champions and they know how to win in the playoffs. The team has gotten solid goaltending from young Corey Crawford and his continued consistency is very important. Even more important will be the timely scoring that won the Cup last season. The Blackhawks need stars like Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa to come through in the clutch, like they have in the past.

Analysis

This is a classic matchup of the defending Stanley Cup champions and the best team in the NHL right now. Vancouver has the edge in goaltending, but Chicago has the obvious experience advantage in their corner. The Canucks are one of the toughest teams in the league, but Chicago won’t go out without a fight. It’s the worst matchups the Canucks could ask for.