The set-up: The Winnipeg Jets enter the Stanley Cup playoffs as a legitimate championship contender, after putting together the greatest regular season in franchise history by going 52-20-10. The team's 114 points did fall three shy of that of the Central Division-winning Nashville Predators but the Jets accumulated more points than any other NHL team save the Preds! The 45-26-11 Minnesota Wild surged in the second half of the season, posting the third-best record in the Western Conference since Jan. 1 at 25-10-8. However, that includes the team's modest 9-6-4 mark since the beginning of March. Minnesota finished third in the Central Division but its 101 points were 13 behind that of the Jets.

Minnesota: The Wild finished 11th in the NHL in scoring (3.05 GPG), and also 11th in goals allowed (2.79). However, Ryan Suter will miss the playoffs with a broken ankle and fellow defenseman Jared Spurgeon will be a game-time decision for the opener due to a torn hamstring. Defense figures to be an issue against Winnipeg's high-octane offense without Suter and with Spurgeon coming off a month-long layoff (assuming he plays). Veteran goalie Devan Dubnyk won 35 games in goal while posting a .918 save percentage and it's true that the Wild are a playoff-hardened bunch with 11 players having skated in at least 20 postseason games together. Center Eric Staal leads the Wild in goals (a franchise-record tying 42) and points (76), highlighting a trio of 60-point performers along with forwards Mikael Granlund (21 goals) and Jason Zucker (33 goals).

Winnipeg: The Jets' patient rebuild paid off this season, as the 19-year-old Patrik Laine exploded for 19 goals in his final 25 games, ending the season with 44 goals and 70 points points. Forward Kyle Connor led all NHL rookies in goals (31) and forward Blake Wheeler tallied a league-high tying 68 assists along the way his team-best 91 points. Five Jets finished with 57 points or more, and they ranked fifth on the power play (23.4%) and the team's 3.33 GPG ranked second-best in the entire NHL. No. 1 goalie Connor Hellebuyck has had a terrific regular season, going 44-11-9 with a 2.36 GAA and .924 SP.

The pick: The biggest question surrounding Winnipeg this postseason is, can Winnipeg handle postseason pressure given its lack of playoff experience? 13 Jets have played in four playoff games or fewer. The Jets captured the season series 3-1 but the two teams have played just once since Nov. 27, a 4-1 Wild triumph on Jan. 13. This franchise, which started as the Atlanta Thrashers in 1999, has never won a playoff game and the opportunity to do that for the first time is the talk of the town. I say the Jets get that first postseaon win right here, as the Wild are allowing 3.41 GPG on the road, while Winnipeg is averaging 3.80 GPG at home (wjhile allowing just 2.42), in going 32-7-2 on home ice. Make Winnipeg an 8* play.