The Western Conference Final will be an interesting study in contrasts, Mike Johnston believes.
He sees the San Jose Sharks as a team based on transition and willing to attack whenever the opportunity presents itself. The St. Louis Blues, meanwhile, are very structured, more physical and look to wear opponents down.
"They've done it two times now with Chicago and Dallas, taking each of those series to a Game 7," he said. "That's how they will approach this series as well."
With that said, St. Louis can, and will, score goals.
"They have added some skill guys to their structured game in the past couple of years and they are a bit different because of it," Johnston said. "They've added Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz and now Robby Fabbri, and they have rounded out their defense with Colton Parayko.
"Now, they have some skill, some depth and some goaltending and they are a dangerous team."
Johnston also believes St. Louis is bursting with confidence, particularly after dispatching the rival Blackhawks in the first round.
"I always felt that if St. Louis could get through the first round and that mental hurdle of beating Chicago, they would be dangerous," he said. "Once they did that, they could start to believe it was their time."
But the Sharks also have earned the right to be confident.
"Every time they have been challenged, they found an answer," Johnston said. "You saw that against Nashville, and that was really important for them to be able to answer each time."