The Western Conference in the NHL has been far better than the Eastern Conference this season as the point totals clearly show. The playoff race is also heating up in the West just as it is in the East. Who are the teams that are fighting for the wild card and where do they rank?
Minnesota Wild
The Wild are currently in the one of the two wild card spots right now as they hold a four-point lead over the Dallas Star. Minnesota has been a solid team all year in a very stacked Central division. Zach Parise and Ryan Suter have both been outstanding and now Matt Moulson has just been acquired from Buffalo to boost their offense for playoff time. Mikko Koivu has also just returned from an injury that sidelined him over 50 games. This team can be a very dangerous team heading into the playoffs and they are certainly in line to return to the postseason. The only question mark about them making a run into the playoffs is goaltending. Josh Harding’s ongoing battle with MS has knocked him out of the line up and opening night starter Nicklas Backstrom is done for the year. Deadline acquisition Ilya Bryzgalov can help them out in the playoffs if rookie Darcy Kuemper falters.
Dallas Stars
Dallas has been a really nice surprise this year after a total team makeover. Jamie Benn has had another productive season as team captain and Tyler Seguin has been unbelievable as well scoring 29 goals for the Stars so far this season. Head Coach Lindy Ruff should be nominated for the Jack Adams Coach of the Year Award if they get into the playoffs. The goaltending worries me too but I think they can get into the playoffs. Kari Lehtonen took a nasty shot against rival Minnesota and has no timetable for a return to action. The trade for veteran goaltender Tim Thomas should help provide some assurance that they will not crash and burn out of the playoff race like they have been doing for the past couple seasons.
Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix is nothing more than a mediocre team to me and has failed to impress me all year. They’re currently 4th in the Pacific Division and stand one point out of a wildcard spot which isn’t much at all. Mike Ribeiro has been the Coyotes best player this season and currently leads the team in points with 43. Mike Smith hasn’t had his best season which has been reflected in the Coyotes inconsistency. Phoenix usually leans on their defense for success and just don’t have enough offense to pass the Stars.
Vancouver Canucks
Oh what a mess it has been in Vancouver this season. From John Tortorella going into the Flames locker-room to Ryan Kesler wanting to be traded (allegedly) and then Roberto Luongo finally being traded it’s just been a circus. Who would have thought that Cory Schneider and Luongo would both be traded within a year and that Eddie Lack would have to carry this team to the playoffs? Daniel Sedin, the leading point’s scorer on the Canucks is now hurt and now it’s up to Henrik Sedin and Kesler to take charge and to lead this team to an improbable playoff berth. Monday night’s historical collapse to the lowly New York Islanders could be the final straw to the Canucks season. Heading into the third period with a 3-0 lead, Vancouver surrendered seven goals en route to a 7-4 humiliation.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets are also a mediocre team in the NHL season despite moving to the Western Conference. Blake Wheeler has easily been the best player on the Jets this season statistically leading the team with 50 points. Al Montoya has been the better statistical goaltender than Ondrej Pavelec. He’s posted a 2.12 GAA, which is outstanding, but for some reason, the senior Pavelec gets the bulk of the starts. Winnipeg has already fired their head coach and replaced him with Paul Maurice who has done an excellent job trying to get this team back into the playoffs. Winnipeg won’t make it this season to the postseason. They dug themselves in to deep hole and there are just too many better teams in front of them.