NHL Division Outlook: Pacific

Anaheim Ducks

Feb 8, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; The Anaheim Ducks congratulate goalie

(1) after beating the Nashville Predators 5-2 at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mike Strasinger-USA TODAY Sports

As I stated in the intro, the Anaheim Ducks are the best team (points wise) returning from the Olympic break. They currently lead the NHL with 87 points. However, since they are in the Western Conference, they still have four teams within 10 points of them in conference standings. Anaheim still remains the favorite to win the Pacific Division and is likely to make a deep playoff run. However, the Western Conference is a deep race where any team could step up and surprise come playoff time.

Western Conference Standing: 1st

Division: 1st

Record in the last 10 games: 5-5-0

Top Scorers:

• Ryan Getzlaf (29 G, 38 A, 67 points)
• Corey Perry (30 G, 30 A, 60 points)
• Nick Bonino (16 G, 24 A, 40 points)

Starting Goaltender:

Jonas Hiller: 25-9-4-4, 2.34 GAA, .917 SV%

San Jose Sharks

Feb 7, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks right wing

(9) celebrates with center

(8) after scoring against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. The Sharks won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

If there is one team in the Pacific Division that can play upset on the Ducks in the final run to the playoffs, it’s the San Jose Sharks. Every year the Sharks show up in someone’s picks to win the Cup, and every year they disappoint. While a Cup might be a long shot this year, I think the Sharks can surge into the playoffs over the next few months. San Jose won’t be a big player at the trade deadline, as GM Doug Wilson stated before the Olympic break that his team will continue their rebuild plan and will not package assets for a playoff run. If the Sharks are going to contend this year, it will be with what they have now.

Western Conference Standing: 4th

Division: 2nd

Record in the last 10 games: 6-4-0

Top Scorers:

• Joe Thornton (8 G, 48 A, 56 points)
• Joe Pavelski (29 G, 25 A, 54 points)
• Patrick Marleau (23 G, 27 A, 50 points)

Starting Goaltender:

Antti Niemi: 29-12-6-2, 2.39 GAA, .912 SV%

Los Angeles Kings

Feb 6, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman

(44) celebrates with defenseman

(26) after scoring the winning goal in overtime against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Blue Jackets 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If the Kings have taught us anything over the last few years is to never count them out. They have outstanding depth on their roster and one of the best goaltenders in the game at their disposal. They also have not been strangers to making big deals at the deadline. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, they have a lot of ground to make up, as their 68 points puts them at 7th in the Western Conference. They currently are in a playoff spot, but Dallas, Phoenix, and Vancouver are within close range and could bump them down to a Wild Card or playoff bubble position. Los Angeles also limped into the Olympic break with a 2-8-0 record.

Western Conference Standing: 7th

Division: 3rd

Record in the last 10 games: 2-8-0

Top Scorers:

• Anze Kopitar (17 G, 30 A, 47 points)
• Jeff Carter (20 G, 17 A, 37 points)
• Mike Richards (7 G, 29 A, 36 points)

Starting Goaltender:

Jonathan Quick: 16-13-2-3, 2.18 GAA, .911 SV%

Phoenix Coyotes

Feb 8, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Coyotes defenseman

(4) rests on the bench during the second period against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Coyotes are currently on the playoff bubble in the Western Conference. While I think it is more likely that Vancouver makes a push to either a straight up playoff spot, or the Wild Card, I would not count Phoenix out. This is a team that is attempting to reinvent itself under new ownership, and what better way to start things off right than to make the playoffs? A playoff run would also help the Phoenix Coyotes when it comes to the books, so there will be some pressure from ownership for the team to make a push towards playoff contention. It will all come down to whether the Phoenix defense can keep Phoenix in games and stifle the other team’s offense. Coyotes GM Don Maloney has said the team will not be sellers at the deadline, and will be looking to add one or two forwards at the deadline.

Western Conference Standing: 9th

Division: 5th

Record in the last 10 games: 4-5-1

Top Scorers:

• Mike Ribeiro (14 G, 26 A, 40 points)
• Radim Vrbata (15 G, 24 A, 39 points)
• Keith Yandle (7 G, 31 A, 38 points)

Starting Goaltender:

Mike Smith: 20-17-9-2, 2.77 GAA, .913 SV%

Vancouver Canucks

Feb 4, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Vancouver Canucks center

(45), left wing

(22) and right wing

(9) congratulate defenseman

(24) on scoring a goal during the second period against the Boston Bruins at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

It is somewhat surprising how poor the Canucks have been playing under new head coach John Tortorella this year. On the other hand, how many times have we seen a Torts run New York Rangers sneak into the playoffs and then turn on the jets in the first round? I have a hard time believing that this team will miss out on the playoffs this year. They are my favorite to jump over both the Phoenix Coyotes and the Dallas Stars. Whether they will be able to make run in the playoffs is another story. The offensive production just hasn’t been there, but if they play the grinding, Torts style of hockey, they may be able to wear their opponents down.

Western Conference Standing: 10th

Division: 5th

Record in the last 10 games: 2-8-0

Top Scorers:

• Daniel Sedin (13 G, 27 A, 40 points)
• Henrik Sedin (9 G, 31 A, 40 points)
• Ryan Kesler (20 G, 18 A, 38 points)

Starting Goaltender:

Roberto Luongo: 19-16-6-3, 2.38 GAA, .917 SV%

Calgary Flames

Feb 6, 2014; Uniondale, NY, USA; Calgary Flames center

(18) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the New York Islanders at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Calgary Flames won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Flames got off to a hot start at the beginning of the 2013-14 season, but since the opening month, they have settled back to where we all expected them to be this season. They are currently in 6th in the Pacific Division and staring down a difficult rebuild project with Brian Burke at the helm. Not surprisingly, the Flames are projected to be sellers at the deadline. They have very few prospects in their system right now and will likely use the deadline to stock up on draft picks and prospects.

Western Conference Standing: 13th

Division: 6th

Record in the last 10 games: 6-3-1

Top Scorers:

• Jiri Hudler (14 G, 29 A, 43 points)
• Mikael Backlund (14 G, 15 A, 29 points)
• Mark Giordano (9 G,  19 A, 28 points)

Starting Goaltender:

Karri Ramo: 11-10-4-1, 2.66 GAA, .908 SV%

Reto Berra: 8-16-2-0, 3.02 GAA, .896 SV%

Edmonton Oilers

Feb 7, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Jon Merrill (not shown) scores the game winning goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie

(80) during overtime at Prudential Center. The Devils won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Going into the trade deadline, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a familiar place: the basement of the Western Conference. Edmonton is projected to be sellers at the deadline. Hopefully they will address their defensive woes and utilize some of their offensive depth to bolster up the blue line. Building through the draft has so far been a rough process for the Oilers, as they have not gotten the production out of their 1st round picks that they expected.

Western Conference Standing: 14th

Division: 8th

Record in the last 10 games: 5-3-2

Top Scorers:

• Taylor Hall (20 G,  36 A, 56 points)
• Jordan Eberle (19 G, 26 A, 45 points)
• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (15 G, 28 A, 43 points)

Starting Goaltender:

Ilya Bryzgalov: 5-8-4-1, 3.08 GAA, .907 SV%