Minnesota at Dallas

Dallas is home and a big favorite, but it's a young team that is short on defense and has an uninspiring playoff record. Its only their second postseason appearance in the past eight seasons. They missed the playoffs last year and lost in six games in the opening round two years ago, allowing 20 goals. This Dallas team is #19 in goals allowed and it's not clear when star offensive player Tyler Seguin will return. He tore his Achilles tendon on March 17 and hasn't played since. Minnesota has the far better defense (ninth in goals allowed) and plenty of playoff experience. Last year in the first round they topped St. Louis in six games, winning twice on the road, then gave the eventual champion Chicago Blackhawks all they could handle, losing three one-goal games. Two years ago they beat Colorado in the first round, winning game seven on the road, rallying from an 0-2 deficit in the series. Goalie Devan Dubnyk has been solid again, going 14-11-1 since the All-Star break with a .912 save percentage. Take Minnesota in game one.