Hockey Betting: NHL Western Conference Quaterfinals Playoffs Preview

#8 Colorado Avalanche (+355) vs. #1 San Jose Sharks (-425) Among playoff squads in the West, Colorado allowed the most goals with 233. The offense fared a little better this season for the Avalanche. Young center Paul Stastny finished in a tie for sixth in the NHL in assists with 59. San Jose went 8-1-1 in its final ten contests to edge out Chicago for the top seed in the conference. The Sharks are a solid squad on both sides of the ice. Center Joe Thornton ranked second in the league in assists with 69 to pace the offense. #7 Nashville Predators (+355) vs. #2 Chicago Blackhawks (-425) The Predators have never won a postseason series in four previous tries. The club scored and allowed 225 goals during a 47-29-6 regular season. While the team lacks a dynamic offensive performer, Nashville has a solid goalie to work wit. Pekka Rinne ranked 13th in the league in goals allowed per game. Chicago is in the playoffs for just the third time in the last 12 seasons after setting a franchise-high with 112 points in the 2009-10 campaign. The Blackhawks are third in the NHL in scoring while ranking second in the West in goals allowed. Right wing Patrick Kane finished ninth in the league in points to pace the offense. #6 Los Angeles Kings (+200) vs. #3 Vancouver Canucks (-240) While the Kings won't have the home ice advantage in this series, Los Angeles tied Washington and San Jose for most road victories this season with 24. Youngster Anze Kopitar had a career-year to rank 17th in the NHL in points with 81. The Kings will be challenged to continue its strong road play in this matchup against a Vancouver squad that tied Washington for most home wins with 30. Center Henrik Sedin led the league in points with 112 while pacing the NHL in assists with 83. #5 Detroit Red Wings (-185) vs. #4 Phoenix Coyotes (+165) The defending Western Conference champions are the only squad without home ice advantage that is expected to advance into the second round of the postseason. Detroit will hope that young goalie Jimmy Howard can step up in the postseason after ranking fifth in the league in goals allowed average. Phoenix is in the playoffs for the first time in eight years under first-year head coach Dave Tippett. The Coyotes allowed the fewest goals in the West with 202.