WESTERN CONTENDERS

NHL / Hockey

Written by Chase Howard

With the NHL Playoffs right on the horizon, it's time to break down the top contenders for the Stanley Cup, starting with the Western Conference.

Source (Background Photo): NHLI via Getty Images

Best in the West - Colorado Avalanche

Three years running the Avalanche have been eliminated in the second round of the playoffs; despite this, they were a popular preseason pick to go all the way. Now with most of the season in the books they’ve proved why, sitting top five in goals for, against, and SRS which has garnered them the top spot in the West. It seemed like the Avs were picking up steam winning seven straight, four by a goal overall, before losing the last four straight. I am willing to look past it though as everybody has to struggle at some point, and these Avs feel ready for playoff success. They are 14-5-1 since March 13, and on the season they’re 18-1-6 in games decided by one goal, a stat that should bode well come playoff time.

Hot on Their Tail - Calgary Flames

After falling out of the playoff race last season the Flames are back with a vengeance, sitting behind only the aforementioned Avalanche in the West standings. The Flames' offence is potent, sixth in the league in goals per game and they are the only team with four skaters to hit at least 30 goals. On the other end of the ice, the Flames are just as good, if not better, sitting second in goals against per game. This is in large part due to Jacob Markstrom, who leads the league with nine shutouts and is 34-15-8 with a 2.24 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in 59 games. Did I mention they’re top 10 in both power play and penalty kill percentage? This year is a good bet for the Flames to get past the second round for the first time since 2004. Look for the scoring depth to be a difference-maker in the postseason, were zeroing in on a top scorer is a gameplan often deployed, but tough to execute against 4+ different targets.

Dark Horse - St Louis Blues

Sometimes in playoff hockey, it comes down to a couple of good bounces of the puck and who’s hot at the right time; the Blues are smouldering. Since starting March with four consecutive losses, the Blues are 18-6-5. Best yet they are 14-0-2 in their last 16, possessing a top-five power play (2nd) and penalty kill (5th). Ville Husso has come out of nowhere this season to grab a hold of the Blues crease from Jordan Binnington (who did the same in 2019), but if he falters in the playoffs will that last? If Husso or even Binnington get as hot as we know they can, the Blues will be a very difficult team to beat.

Just missed the cut

• Edmonton Oilers - Having likely the best player in hockey and two of the top ten is a formidable stable, but I’m not so sure it’ll be enough to garner the success perennially expected of McDavid, Draisaitl and company in preseason forecasts. Mike Smith’s improved play in the crease has been a game-changer however; this team still has to prove it can make it work come playoff time.

• Minnesota Wild - The days of safe defensive hockey are gone in Minnesota, which has fully embraced their wild side and will be interesting to monitor based on their boom or bust play style. Overall they have quality goaltending and are one of the best top-six groups in hockey.