Western Conference first round series breakdowns

Goaltender Pekka Rinne has been hot since the break and gives the Predators a chance to win every night. John Russell/Getty Images

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Predators (7) vs. Blackhawks (2)

Season series: Chicago, 4-2

Oct. 15: Chicago 3, Nashville 1
Oct. 24: Chicago 2, Nashville 0
Oct. 29: Nashville 2, Chicago 0
Dec. 4: Nashville 4, Chicago 1
Dec. 26: Chicago 4, Nashville 1
Dec. 27: Chicago 5, Nashville 4

How the Blackhawks can win: After watching his club dismantled by Chicago during the last week of the season, a Western Conference team exec wondered aloud how anyone could beat the Blackhawks. Fair question. Outside of Detroit, the Hawks might boast hockey's most balanced lineup -- an ideal blend of skill (Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane), two-way play (Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toews) and grit (Dave Bolland, Adam Burish). That offensive depth gives them a distinct advantage over the hunt-and-peck Preds and should set the tone for the series.

How the Predators can win: Now, just as during the regular season, Barry Trotz's undermanned, underfunded team has to approach every regular season contest with sheer intensity and defensive dedication. If the Predators don't do that, they simply can't compete. Their dream of toppling the Hawks begins with goalie Pekka Rinne's A-game. Rinne led the league with four post-Olympic shutouts and his 1.96 GAA gave Nashville a chance to win every night. The defense corps, led by Olympians Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, is smart, physical and rarely makes a mistake. It's up to the forwards to support that effort by clawing out an extra goal here and there.

Key performer: Antti Niemi, Blackhawks. The Hawks will tell you they're tired of talking about their goaltending and have full faith in Niemi and Cristobal Huet. Maybe they do. After all, their team GAA (2.48) was significantly lower than Nashville's (2.70) and few teams do a better job of clearing the zone and limiting chances. Still, Niemi has as much NHL playoff experience as you or me or Betty White, so expect the gnashing of teeth to continue until he proves he can elevate his game.

Keep an eye on: Chicago's blueline. For all the acclaim, it simply hasn't been as effective since the break. Injuries to Brian Campbell and Kim Johnsson have hurt their transition game and forced players like Dustin Byfuglien and Brent Sopel into roles that might ask too much of them. Bad reads and rushed reactions have led to poor decisions and higher quality scoring chances than their goalies are used to seeing. Getting Campbell back later in the series would help with the balance, but until then, Chicago's defenders might be the second-best group on the ice.

X-Factor: Nashville's ability to close out one-goal games. The Preds warmed up for the tight-checking, low-scoring style of postseason hockey by going 14-0-1 in their final 15 one-goal games. Trotz believes those results will enhance his team's chances. "In one-goal games, there's no panic," he said. "We're used to those tight games. It makes us more resilient."

Kings (6) vs. Canucks (3)

Ryan Kesler's two-way play and face-off dominance could clog the Kings' attack. AP

Season series: Canucks, 3-1

Oct. 29: Vancouver 2, Los Angeles 1 (SO)
Nov. 26: Vancouver 4, Los Angeles 1
Dec. 14: Vancouver 3, Los Angeles 1
Apr. 1: Los Angeles 8, Vancouver 3

How Canucks can win: They're not quite Washington West, but Vancouver's Sedin-fueled offense was plenty effective, torching the opposition more often than any team outside of the blastin' Caps. But don't think it's all about Art Ross winner Henrik and his trigger-happy brother, Daniel. These Canucks boast three lines capable of lighting it up, and that depth gives them a clear edge on the Kings. Add in the West's best home record and the benefit of experience -- the Canucks have managed to win two series over the last three years -- and Vancouver should find its way into the second round.

How the Kings can win: They're widely regarded as underdogs, but are they really? Statistically speaking, this may be the most evenly matched series in the first round. Every number from points (Vancouver had the edge, 103 to 101) to goals-against (slight edge to the Kings) to special teams (a toss-up) suggests this could go either way. If the Kings can take advantage of Vancouver's injury-riddled defense (see below) and use their size and speed to establish their forecheck and cycle, they might win their first series since 2001.

Key performer: Ryan Kesler, Canucks. Here's the mark of a great two-way center: while matched against Anze Kopitar this season, Kesler not only kept the Kings' catalyst off the board, he managed to chip in a goal and an assist. The secret to his success is in the circle, where Kesler's face-off dominance kept the puck away from Kopitar. If this trend continues, the Kings' offense may slow to a trickle.

Keep an eye on: The goaltending. Both teams come into the series with concerns between the pipes. Roberto Luongo led Canada to Olympic gold, but he's 11-11 in the playoffs and his erratic play down the stretch offered nothing to suggest that his success rate will improve. Jonathan Quick steps in as a playoff rookie for the Kings, but his lack of experience is less disquieting than his own struggles in March and April. If he stumbles, the Kings might turn to to prospect Jonathan Bernier.

X-Factor: Vancouver's battered blueline. Pugnacious veteran Willie Mitchell is out indefinitely with a concussion suffered in January. Aaron Rome, a surprisingly effective stand-in for Mitchell, hasn't practiced this week and could be out. Most worrisome though is Sami Salo. He says he'll be back Thursday after sitting with a suspected groin pull, but a player who's suffered 29 injuries over his career is a dirty look away from his 30th...and the Canucks simply can't replace his minutes.