NHL Power Rankings before Playoffs: Western Conference
The time has come where teams are certain of either two things, they are definitely headed to the playoffs strong, or they’re not. There are always a few exceptional cases in which teams might not be able to make that decision until the final game, because
in the end it is all about the points.
Western Conference teams are by far the most competitive this season.
Still there are multiple teams that are tied for a single position. The situation has cleared up from post All-Star Game break where teams were jumping in and out of the elite-eight every day, but there still is much confusion of who is really going to make
it.
Other than a few teams like the top four which include Vancouver, Detroit, San Jose and Phoenix, it is still uncertain that the lower four clubs will maintain their current positions come playoffs.
The power rankings according to analysis and mostly guessing can give us a better insight of what we could expect in the upcoming days and finally at the end of the road to the Stanley Cup.
(Ranks are based on most likeliness of reaching the finals from their conference, where one would be most likely)
Vancouver Canucks
Rank: 1
An obvious choice for first place would go to the Vancouver Canucks. They’re undoubtedly the best franchise in the league and have been throughout the season. Repeating again, they’re the best club in the league not just the Western Conference.
They won their 50th game of the season against Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday to make it the most matches won in regulation season ever by Canucks.
Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin are two unstoppable forces who lead the league in points and scoring, and their team chemistry is just unmatchable.
San Jose Sharks
Rank: 2
San Jose has taken their game to another level as seen in recent weeks.
They have shown a consistent performance throughout the season, where Vancouver was seen in a slump at one time, but not them.
Sharks rose from the lower four of the Western elite-eight to securing a top spot in the higher ranks.
Looking at the month of February, they only lost twice in 13 matches and only once in their last six. San Jose only stands one point below the second place Detroit Red Wings with 97.
Their next game on Thursday against Dallas Stars will allow them to reach even further and take over Detroit who has not been thrown down for quite a while now.
Phoenix Coyotes
Rank: 3
Phoenix has been on a roll this month and the one before it. Despite their loss against San Jose on Saturday, they have only lost four of their past 13 games.
This could be the sort of team that comes out to be the surprise winner of the Stanley Cup since they have the required talent.
That talent has some off-the-ice problems of their own, like the recent situation in which they were uncertain of their team moving or staying in Phoenix.
It is problems like these that divert the player’s attentions to unimportant issues and causes disappointment in the long run.
Solid defence which consists of Ilya Bryzgalov and Jason LaBarbera has been a key contributing factor in their success, and will continue to be.
Phoenix is in fourth place with 93 points, only above Los Angeles by one.
Winning the remaining games will help them retain what they have worked for so long.
Nashville Predators
Rank: 4
The great thing about Nashville Predators is that they have not stopped trying. They’re in a solid position when compared to their situation a few weeks ago but they still are giving it the best they’ve got to make it even better.
Nashville’s on a six-game winning streak right now including wins against teams like Boston and Detroit, and they have only lost once in their past nine games.
It really shows how dedicated they are to ending the season with a bang.
A force that is not to be reckoned with when playing against the Predators is Pekka Rinne.
He is without a doubt the best goalie in the West and second overall in the league.
It is very important for Nashville that they keep him injury free especially at this time, without him they are better off not even entering the playoffs.
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