With my favorites in the Eastern Conference up for your perusal, let us take our focus to the West. The Chicago Blackhawks still reside out west after the NHL shuffled the three divisions into two.
That is not good news for the clubs that have their sights set on the Stanley Cup considering that Chicago returns about 95% of the roster that cut through the regular season and playoffs last year. However, the lockout shortened season eliminated inter-conference play in the abbreviated schedule. There is nothing to suggest that this could have handicapped any teams, but a full schedule against all 29 other teams could shuffle the standings somewhat.
The Pacific and Central Division will each host seven teams with the defending champs headlining the Central with long-time rival St. Louis. Dallas, Colorado, Minnesota, Winnipeg and Nashville join them.
The Pacific Division is loaded; featuring 2012 champs Los Angeles, along with Anaheim, San Jose, Vancouver, Edmonton, Phoenix and Calgary. This could shape up to be the group of death with five of the seven owning division titles in the last two years.
The new playoff format is designed almost specifically to turn up the gas on divisional rivalries. If you thought the NHL playoffs were intense already, go look at the footage of some of the old playoff battles from the 1970’s and 1980’s. Here are the “survivors” in the Western Conference.
Chicago Blackhawks
The defending champs have to be considered the favorites out west. The weakness of the Hawks turned out to be their strength as Corey Crawford helped lead Chicago to their second title in four years. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp headline the NHL’s top offense. A vastly improved defense made Crawford look spectacular at times but Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Nick Leddy stepped up big all season. If Crawford continues to play at the same level, the Blackhawks could be contenders for back-to-back titles.
Nashville Predators
The 2013 season started and ended badly for Nashville. The Predators missed the playoffs and ended up with a lottery pick. How can they be considered contenders then? Bad breaks and a goal scoring embargo cost the Preds in spite of their strong defense. Goaltender Pekka Rinne is world class. Shea Weber is one of the best defensemen in the league and will be charged with helping top draft pick Seth Jones assimilate himself to the NHL. Filip Forsberg, Patric Hornqvist and Mike Fisher will be charged with finding some goals for the Music City gang.
Anaheim Ducks
Coach Bruce Boudreau showed what he could do when he has a team for a full(ish) season. After taking over a spiraling Ducks’ team in late 2011, Boudreau and company would have been the story of the 2013 season. Unfortunately Chicago started and finished stronger, but the Ducks will be back and just as strong. As division winners last season, they have to be considered favorites to repeat at the top of their class.
Los Angeles Kings
Jonathan Quick is due to bounce back after an off year by his own standards. The Kings return essentially the same roster that won the Stanley Cup in 2012, and they are still good enough to be contenders with that group. They ran out of gas against Chicago in the conference finals after a tough seven game series with San Jose but they will be back and should contend for the Pacific Division crown
Edmonton Oilers
Eventually I have to be right about this club. I have picked them as my dark horse the past couple years simply based on the talent they have on the roster. With new coach Dallas Eakins and some savvy roster moves this summer, I think that this is the year that the Oilers finally grow up. They may not get far in the playoffs, but this will be the team to beat in less than three years.