St. Louis very well could win this series, but I like the spot for Dallas playing at home in Game 1.

The Stars are fresh having last played this past Sunday. They won't have All-Star center Tyler Seguin, but they still have plenty of offensive weapons. They are much superior to St. Louis on offense. Dallas has won seven of the past eight times it has met an above .500 opponent.

I can see the more physical Blues eventually wearing down the Stars in this series, but right now the Stars should have some spring to their legs to outskate the Blues.

St. Louis is still basking after winning a seventh game in a playoff series for the first time in 17 years having gotten past the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks in a riveting series that the Blues nearly blew.