NO. 4 ST. LOUIS BLUES (29-17-2) VS NO. 5 LOS ANGELES KINGS (27-16-5)
STRENGTHS
BLUES: They’ve got size and physicality to match the relentless Kings and a superb goaltending duo in Jaro Halak and Brian Elliott, so if one happens to falter they’ll have no trouble going to the bullpen. Ken Hitchcock-bossed teams rarely beat themselves. The addition of ex-Calgary Flame Jay Bouwmeester on the back end gives them a minutes-devouring complement to the underrated Alex Pietrangelo. They went on an 11-2 regular-season-ending roll, with Elliott allowing a pauper’s 16 goals during that April stretch, and have won six in a row on home ice, where the series will kick off.
KINGS: They have enviable depth and the ability to totally shut games down. In Dustin Brown they have a captain that leads by example and the inner confidence that only going the distance in the springtime can provide a team. Centre Jeff Carter is in career form. Significantly, Darryl Sutter’s crew finished a perfect 3-0-0 vs. Blues this season, including two wins at the Scottrade Center, giving them the early psychological advantage.
WEAKNESSES
BLUES: After winning one series a year ago, they still need to prove themselves playoff-worthy with a long push into May, and kicking off their campaign against the defending champions is certainly a daunting task. A balanced attack, but no offensive focal point to rely on in the tight times.
KINGS: Haven’t exactly been dynamite (8-124) on the road this season — netminder Jonathan Quick, in particular, has been hit-andmiss away from the Staples Center. Scoring at times has been an issue, despite the marquee names. The expectations with trying to stage a repeat are always immense.
BREAKING IT DOWN
FOR THE BLUES TO WIN: Match L.A.’s Cup-tested intensity and continue to keep the shot total down. They’ll need to find ways to take leads, as the Kings can batten down the hatches like few other teams with their noses in front. Elliott was torched by the Kings last spring and needs to find his confidence against them. As a group, they need to put last year’s comprehensive L.A. sweep in the discard bin and move on.
FOR THE KINGS TO WIN: Be themselves. Not stray away from the style that made them such a juggernaut through last season’s post-season run. A return of Quick’s 2012 spring form would go a long way in helping them repeat as champions.