West Playoff Heavyweights: Avs, Stars, Golden Knights

Colorado, Dallas and Vegas sit atop the Western Conference playoff picture, with each team boasting the kind of depth that front offices envy during these high-stakes stretches. Scouts whisper that Dallas' blue-line pairings give them an edge in tight series, while Vegas' goaltending tandem keeps opponents guessing. Colorado's speed up front tests every matchup, and these three know one slip could open the door for wild cards lurking behind.