The three-versus-six seed in the West will see the Spokane Chiefs taking on the Vancouver Giants. These two teams last met in 2019, when Vancouver defeated Spokane 4-1 in the West Final. The Chiefs will be looking for their first series win since 2019, while the Giants last advanced past the first round in 2022. 

For the season series, Spokane pulled off a four-game sweep, including a 4-3 victory at the end of February. The teams have also gone to overtime once this season, with the Chiefs pulling off a win back in October. Spokane has also scored at least four goals in each game, while Vancouver recorded at least three in two of the four matchups. 

The big question surrounding the Chiefs revolves around their top line of Andrew Cristall, Berkly Catton and Shea Van Olm. The trio has been unstoppable over the last two months and will need to continue to carry the offense throughout the playoffs. If they can keep putting together multi-point efforts, the trio should be able to lead Spokane past the first round and on a deep playoff run.

As for the Giants, the player to watch will be Burke Hood, who has been one of the best goaltenders since the trade deadline. The 2025 NHL Draft prospect finished the season with a .910 save percentage and allowed one or fewer goals in five of his final six games. If Hood can stand on his head like Jesper Vikman did back in 2022, Vancouver has a shot at pulling off the upset. 

In the end, this is an intriguing matchup which should feature tight games throughout. Goaltending will definitely be a storyline, while the series could be decided by whichever team's bottom six steps up the most. Ultimately, this matchup will feature must-watch hockey as both teams have plenty of skill that can create highlight-reel moments. 

Prediction:
Spokane in 5

Season Series:
Spokane Wins 4-0-0-0

Scoring Leaders During Season Series:

Spokane:

Andrew Cristall: 5 GP, 3 G, 7 A, 10 P
Shea Van Olm: 4 GP, 6 G, 2 A, 8 P
Rasmus Ekström: 4 GP, 2 G, 6 A, 8 P
Berkly Catton: 4 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 7 P
Owen Martin: 3 GP, 0 G, 5 A, 5 P 

Vancouver:

Cameron Schmidt: 4 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 P
Tyler Thorpe: 4 GP, 3 G, 0 A, 3 P
Connor Levis: 4 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 P
Maxim Muranov: 3 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 P
 Ethan Mittelsteadt: 6 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 P

Schedule:

Game 1: @ Vancouver, Friday, March 28, 7:00 p.m. PT
Game 2: @ Vancouver, Sunda,y March 30, 4:00 p.m. PT
Game 3: @ Spokane, Wednesday, April 2, 7:05 p.m. PT
Game 4: @ Spokane, Thursday, April 3, 7:05 p.m. PT
Game 5: @ Spokane, Saturday, April 5, 6:05 p.m. PT
Game 6: @ Vancouver, Monday, April 7, 7:00 p.m. PT
Game 7: @ Spokane, Wednesday, April 9, 7:05 p.m. PT

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