The Stanley Cup playoffs get underway on Wednesday. The Western Conference matchups feature a plethora of returning sides as well as a few teams that have not been involved with the process in quite some time. Here are some early predictions for the first round of the Western Conference.

Anaheim (Pacific Division Winner) vs. Dallas Stars (Wild Card 2)

The Ducks finished as the top team in the west and are back in the playoffs for a second straight year. Last season the team won the Pacific division but was stopped in the first round by the Detroit Red Wings after the two teams went seven games.

The Ducks were 28-8-4 at home and have the ninth best goals against average in the league. It will be interesting to see which goalie coach Bruce Boudreau starts in the first game. Jonas Hiller was the top keeper for most of the year but did not get a chance to play in the final five games of the season. Rookie Fredrick Anderson could very well be the man that Boudreau trusts with the big task.

The Dallas Stars are in the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08 and are led by the young duo of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Seguin was traded to the team over the summer after being seen as expendable by the Boston Bruins.

Dallas won two of three from the Ducks in 2013-14 but Anaheim has more experience and is built for a deep run.

Prediction: Ducks win in six games.

Colorado Avalanche (Central Winner) vs. Minnesota Wild (Wild Card 1)

Both teams are making a return to the playoffs after years of missing out. The Wild last played in the tournament in 2008 when they were knocked out by the Avalanche. Colorado last made it in 2009-10 but lost in the first round against San Jose.

The Wild and Avalanche also met in 2002-03 in Patrick Roy's final season; the Wild overcame a 3-1 series deficit and made a run to the Western Conferences final.

The Avalanche have had a miracle season fueled by the alterations in the front office and on the bench. Coach Patrick Roy has given this team a newfound confidence. However, it is essential to point out that this team won the top seed in the division because of the poor play of St. Louis down the stretch.

Prediction: Minnesota wins in six.

St. Louis Blues (Central 2) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (Central 3)

The Blues are likely ruing their fate as they could have avoided this matchup altogether. The Blues owned the season series by winning three of five games, but the Blackhawks are still the defending Champions and are the favorites. St. Louis is banged up from injuries and struggled at the end of the year. It is hard to imagine them turning things around quickly in the playoffs.

Prediction: Blackhawks win in five games.

San Jose Sharks (Pacific 2) vs. Los Angeles Kings (Pacific 3)

The Sharks make the playoffs every year and look promising heading into the postseason. However, the team continually embarrasses itself in the crucial moments. This year will be essential for the aging core as it must make a deep run before its window closes completely.

The Kings are two years removed from their Stanley Cup championship and possessed the best goals against average in the entire league. However, their offense was the 24th best in terms of goals scored; the Sharks scored the fourth most goals this past season.

It should be interesting to see which wins the series: high power offense or tight defense? The Kings won three out of five games this series and also won the best of seven series in last year's playoffs. Meanwhile the Sharks defeated the Kings in six games back in 2010-11.

Prediction: The Sharks overcome the Kings and win in six games.