NHL playoffs 2018: First-round predictions

Show Caption Hide Caption NHL playoff preview: Can anyone stop the Predators? SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Jimmy Hascup and Kevin Allen look at some dark horses that could make some noise this postseason, but ultimately it's hard to bet against Nashville.

The first round of the NHL playoffs begins Wednesday with the Minnesota Wild at the Winnipeg Jets (CNBC) and the Philadelphia Flyers visiting the Pittsburgh Penguins (NBCSN) at 7 p.m. ET.

USA TODAY Sports’ NHL staff takes a stab at first-round predictions.

(1) NASHVILLE PREDATORS VS. (WC2) COLORADO AVALANCHE

Kevin Allen: Predators in 5. The Predators have too much depth, too much talent and learned too much last season to be upset in the first round.

Jimmy Hascup: Predators in 5. The Avalanche aren’t quite ready for prime time.

Mike Brehm: Predators in 5. Nashville has better goaltending and defense. Nathan MacKinnon was a -6 vs. the Predators this season.

Jace Evans: Predators in 5. Colorado’s turnaround was one of the best stories in the NHL this year, and while it has some top-end offensive stars, Nashville’s strong defense should be able to keep those players in check.

(2) WINNIPEG JETS VS. (3) MINNESOTA WILD

Allen: Jets in 6. Defenseman Ryan Suter's absence (broken leg) will make it doubly difficult for the Wild to slow down the Jets' high-powered offense.

Hascup: Jets in 6. The Jets’ offense will overwhelm the Ryan Suter-less Wild defense.

Brehm: Jets in 5. The Wild will be hard-pressed to contain Winnipeg's speed with Ryan Suter out and Jared Spurgeon's status in doubt.

Evans: Jets in 4. Winnipeg is probably best known for its offense, but record-setting American goalie (44 wins) Connor Hellebuyck is the backbone that could propel this team to a deep playoff run.

(1) VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. (WC1) LOS ANGELES KINGS

Allen: Golden Knights in 7. Respect the Kings' championship pedigree, but haven't we learned not to doubt the Vegas spunk?

Hascup: Kings in 6. Los Angeles has the game breakers required to win a playoff series and end the feel-good story of the season.

Brehm: Kings in 6. The Golden Knights have had a few rough patches recently. Jeff Carter's return has made the Kings more dangerous.

Evans: Kings in 7. The Golden Knights stunned the world with their inaugural season success, but the Kings still boast a championship core that has won together in the postseason – and giving up the fewest goals in the league this season doesn’t hurt, either.

More: NHL playoff power rankings: Penguins' quest for three-peat begins

More: NHL point projections reflection: Golden Knights had me fooled

(2) ANAHEIM DUCKS VS. (3) SAN JOSE SHARKS

Allen: Ducks in 7. Both of these teams are so effective in penalty-killing that this toss-up series will be decided 5-on-5

Hascup: Ducks in 7. This will be a nasty series. Love the way the Ducks played down the stretch, with five consecutive wins and a 13-4-1 record since March 1.

Brehm: Ducks in 6. If Joe Thornton returns, this series could go to the Sharks. But that might not happen.

Evans: Ducks in 7. Goalie John Gibson kept the Ducks’ season from going off the rails due to a crazy amount of injuries, and in the playoffs they’ll go as far as he carries them – assuming he’s back to full health.

(1) TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS. (WC2) NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Allen: Lightning in 5. Coach Jon Cooper's Lightning have offensive superiority against a team giving up almost three goals per game this season.

Hascup: Lightning in 5. It's hard to see the Devils containing the Lightning's top-end talent and offensive explosiveness.

Brehm: Devils in 6. The Devils are on fire, and the Lightning haven't been the same in the second half of the season.

Evans: Lightning in 5. Taylor Hall finished 41 points ahead of any other player on the Devils, and while that might earn him MVP, the Devils do not have enough depth to compete with the East’s top team.

(2) BOSTON BRUINS VS. (3) TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Allen: Maple Leafs in 6. The Bruins are the better all-around team, but that doesn't guarantee success against the hungry Maple Leafs.

Hascup: Bruins in 6. The Bruins are kind of a Predators-lite (minus the league's best defense) in that they do many things well. The Leafs aren't quite there yet.

Brehm: Bruins in 6. Too much depth for the Leafs to handle.

Evans: Maple Leafs in 7. The high-flying Leafs went 3-1-0 in the regular season against the Bruins. They could be poised to take the next step in the playoffs against a Bruins team that might be feeling some emotional letdown after letting the division title slip away on the season’s final day.

(1) WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS. (WC1) COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Allen: Capitals in 7. The Caps are better down the middle, and Blue Jackets have no one who can turn a game like Alex Ovechkin can.

Hascup: Capitals in 6. Do not like the center matchup for the Blue Jackets.

Brehm: Capitals in 7. The expectations aren't as high for the Capitals this year. They'll be pushed but win Game 7.

Evans: Capitals in 6. Washington is playing some of its best hockey of the season at the right time, going 12-3-0 in its final 15 games.

(2) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS. (3) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Allen: Penguins in 7. Sidney Crosby and Co. have won 32 playoff games over the past two seasons. They understand how to survive in what should be the grittiest first-round series.

Hascup: Penguins in 6. Hard to bet against Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Co.

Brehm: Penguins in 6. So much offensive talent, so this will be a great series to watch. But the Penguins have figured out how to close out series the past two years.

Evans: Penguins in 6. Pittsburgh scored five goals a game in winning all four games against its in-state rival this year, and with some of the sport's top offensive stars, there’s no reason not to expect that to continue.