Western Conference Playoff Preview- #4 St. Louis Blues Vs. #5 Los Angeles Kings

Mar 28, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Chris Stewart (25) knocks the puck away from Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis (22) during the first period at the Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

#4 St. Louis Blues Vs. #5 Los Angeles Kings

Season Series: Kings Swept the Blues (3-0-0)

Series Schedule

Game-1 Los Angeles at St. Louis, Tuesday April 30th 7:00 PM CT

Game-2 Los Angeles at St. Louis, Thursday May 2nd 8:30 PM CT

Game-3 St. Louis at Los Angeles, Saturday May 4th 9:00 PM CT

Game-4 St. Louis at Los Angeles, Monday May 6th 9:00 PM CT

Game-5 Los Angeles at St. Louis, Wednesday May 8th(If necessary)

Game-6 St. Louis at Los Angeles, Friday May 10th(If necessary)

Game-7 Los Angeles at St. Louis, Monday May 13th(If necessary)

Blues

The St. Louis Blues will have to win by playing their game: Tight defense, superb goaltending, and enough scoring.  All 3 of those factors are required for the Blues to go anywhere in the postseason, when one of those compnents is missing, the Blues will struggle mightily to win hockey games.  The Blues boast size up front, with the likes of captain David Backes, Chris Stewart, and Patrik Berglund.  The Blues will rely heavily on these 3 forwards to light the lamp for them, throughout this series.  The Blue’s defensive core is lead by Alex Pitrengelo, Barret Jackman, and Roman Polak.  The Blues will look for Brian Elliot to continue his phenomenal close to the season in the crease.

Leading Scorer- Chris Stewart 18G 18A 36PTS

Goaltender- Brian Elliot 14-8 2.28 .907%

X-Factor- Brian Elliot, can he continue his dominant play into the post-seaon?

Kings

The defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Los Angeles Kings, have the tools to repeat, but are the tools too dull?  The Kings are deep at the center position with the likes of Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards, and Dustin Brown.  All play fantastic two-way hockey. The Kings are also stacked on the blueline with superstar Drew Doughty who can score as easily as any forward.  Reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Jonathan Quick has had a forgettable season, overall, following off-season surgery.

Leading Scorer- Anze Kopitar 10G 32A 42PTS

Goaltender- Jonathan Quick 18-13 2.45 .902%

X-Factort- Can Jonahthan Quick regain his Conn Smyth winning form?

Prediction- Blues will advance in 7 games.  The Kings will be close to form, and put up a mighty fight, but the improved/improving Blues will prove to be too much for the defending champs.