What’s in store for the Western Conference after the All-Star Game Break?
The Western Conference seems to be all fired up and ready for the post All-Star Game continuation of the season. For most teams it will be a time to get a fresh start and try to improve their game in the 45 or more matches they still have left to play.
The leaders will hopefully bring more than they already have and play at the same level they have been playing if not better.
Who can we see improving?
At the start of the 2010-2011 season, teams such as Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings were off to a slow and lazy start, but near the All-Star Game break they were revived and more confident.
Calgary entered the break with a 4-game winning streak and Los Angeles Kings with a 3-game winning streak.
Calgary will hope to be part of the postseason crowd like in 2005 during the Stanley Cup Finals between Calgary Flames and Tampa Bay Lightning.
If Flames can maintain its current rhythm, then entering into the 6th slot of the conference doesn’t seem like a hassle for it.
Other than Vancouver and Montreal, Calgary is the only hope for Canadians to bring the Stanley Cup home this season.
Who is going downhill?
The Western Conference’s lower half is performing much better than that of the Eastern.
Teams look strong and dedicated but sadly that isn’t the case when talking about Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues. Having a 1 and 3 losing streak, respectively, going into the All-Star Game break, things are looking even more down for these teams than
when they entered the post ASG season.
Oiler fans must be disappointed to the extreme as the team has a -46 goal difference and a 2-7-1 record in its last 10 games.
Winners of the previous Stanley Cup, Chicago Blackhawks, seem to be following the footsteps of Oilers by losing its past two games and coming down in rankings.
Will the Drought Ever End?
Canada hasn’t been able to win a Stanley Cup since the past 18 years even though they had plenty of chances at the finals.
Vancouver is going strong this season with Ryan Kesler and the Sedin twins so Canucks has a strong chance. Its team chemistry seems strong and well oriented.
Whatever the outcome, the NHL teams must realise one fact that giving it all you got doesn’t take you to the finals, preparation, planning and inner team harmony are all required for increase in team reputation and well being.
Players who cannot coordinate with each other might get somewhere for a short time, but in the end will have to face their audiences who support them no strings attached.
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