The Wild could also play the Ducks depending on results.
Minnesota are battle hardened now,negative or positive? Time will tell. Ducks have been playing soft for weeks so this team will be fresh and ready for redemption after that series v LA where they blew it. St Louis are slowly getting back to full strength. Really tough call which opposition I would prefer.
I think it's a positive. The Wild have been playing with an intensity that not many other teams have matched over the last three months. It was probably pretty important for them to get in with a couple of games to spare so they could rest up key players and anyone who is feeling a bit dinged up.
As far as match ups go, personally I'd rather face the Blues - even though I think they are the more talented team. The Blues have a real lack of successful playoff experience with no player on their roster having any experience of winning more than one playoff round. The Ducks on the other hand, have a number of key players - Getzlaf, Perry, Kesler, Beauchemin - who have made deep runs and won Stanley Cups. I feel that extra playoff experience could be vital so the Blues might be the easier match up.
St Louis probably win more games playing badly than Ducks which is what you need to do in the play-offs. If you can keep Getzlaf and Perry quiet you can beat the ducks. When these two click they are probably the most destructive duo in the league. I would be a little worried that Wild may hit a flat spot as they have been playing at 100% just to secure a spot. a deep run would do as I didn't really expect them to win it or even make the finals.