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Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Dallas Stars

The Stars posted 12 more wins and 22 more points than the Minnesota Wild, so their first-round clash was not expected to be a close one. The Stars had some issues—Tyler Seguin played only one game during the entire series—but their high-octane offense produced four or more goals three times in the six contests.

The real issue for the Stars—and one to keep an eye on in the upcoming series against the St. Louis Blues—is goals against. The Wild won games in this series by scores of 5-3 and 5-4, and that is going to keep them from going deep into the playoffs if it continues.

Offensively, Jamie Benn and Jason Spezza were spectacular, both men scoring four goals each—all of them coming at even strength. Secondary offense from Patrick Sharp, Patrick Eaves and Cody Eakin meant Dallas had several lines humming, and the Wild could not contain all of them.

One area Dallas looked championship calibre: emerging talent. Although he did not post any points during the series, unheralded defender Stephen Johns displayed impressive skills and anticipation. More than one observer noted his impressive performance, while his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks, was badly in need of exactly the kind of help Johns was providing the Stars.

St. Louis Blues

The Blues posted another fabulous regular season, but that didn't impress anyone because the team has posted strong years before—in fact, all years in the last five seasons. Despite finishing four points ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks, the back story between the two teams heavily favored another disappointing playoff spring.

The series was the best in years, capped by a breathtaking Game 7 that highlighted just how close these two teams have been over the last several seasons. The final 60 minutes saw the Blues grab a 2-0 lead, and then Chicago stormed back to tie it.

At that point, and through most of the rest of the game, it was tight, and either team could have scored the go-ahead goal. This time it was the Blues, and their win will be remembered for a long time—especially if the team can go all the way in 2016.

St. Louis scored 19 goals in the series, but only three men—Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz and David Backes—scored more than one goal. That speaks to balanced lines and scoring depth, which could be important in the coming weeks.