WILD WILD WEST

On Monday I did a breakdown of the teams in the Eastern Conference and who had the best chance to make the playoffs. Today we take a look at the Western Conference.

At first glance things look pretty set. Detroit, Vancouver and San Jose each lead their respective divisions. Barring a collapse I expect all three teams to win their division when the season end. 

Next you have the three other teams in playoff contention from the Central Division, St. Louis, Nashville & Chicago battling for the number four seed and home ice in the first round.

Out of those three teams I like Nashville's chances the best because I don't trust Chicago's goaltending and the Blues have most of their remaining games on the road where they are 10-11-3 this season.

In seventh are the Los Angeles Kings, a team with way too much talent to be where they are at. They have a goalie in Jonathan Quick who is having a Vezina like season, one of the best pair of defenseman in the NHL in Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson and two talented lines up front. So why is this team in seventh place?

Part of the problem is they can't score. Only four players (Kopitar, Richards, Brown, & Williams) have double digits in goals. The other problem is it seems like Los Angeles doesn't play with a sense of urgency. Why that is I have no idea but it seems like the Kings are content with being the seventh seed. That may be because of the teams that are behind them in the standings.

Right now the eighth spot in the West is being held by the Phoenix Coyotes with 60 points. The three teams behind them (Dallas, Minnesota, Calgary) have 58 points while Colorado has 57 points. As to which team ends up with the 8th seed is anyone's guess.

What I like about Phoenix is they are a well coached team with a  shutdown defenseman (Keith Yandle) and two very skilled veterans (Shane Doan and Ray Whitney.) What I don't like about them is their goaltending. Mike Smith had numerous opportunities and failed to claim the job when he played for Tampa Bay. I'm not convinced he can come through for the Coyotes.

The other issue for Phoenix is the ownership. They won't take on any salary and add an impact player at the trade deadline. All they can do is swap out role players on their roster.

As for the teams chasing them they all have their issues as well.

Dallas has been battling injuries to a few of their top forwards this season. it seems like when one player comes back another one goes on injured reserve. The ownership issue for the Stars has been resolved and where they finish may be determined on whether they can pick up anyone at the deadline to help them out.

Minnesota has been in a similar situation the last couple months with injuries up front to Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Guillaume Latendresse and Mikko Koivu. While Koivu did return to the lineup last night the problems for the Wild go much deeper than injuries at forwards.

It seems like what was working for Minnesota early in the season isn't working now. At times they are trying to outskill teams instead of outworking them. Usually this is the point where I tell everyone it's way too early to panic. After watching Mike Yeo's postgame press conference last night I can no longer say that.

If you are a Wild fan there is cause for concern. The good news is there next four home games are against Columbus, Anaheim, Winnipeg & Boston. If they are a playoff team they should be able to get at least six points in the next four games.

Out of all the teams chasing Phoenix, Calgary may have the most talent. They have one of the NHL's top goaltenders in Miikka Kiprusoff. A future hall of famer in Jarome Iginla who is still playing at a high level and the addition of Mike Cammalleri should make them a tough team to beat during the final two months of the season.

So why don't I like the Flames? One name, Olli Jokinen.

If there was ever a poster boy for someone whose team underachieves on a consistent basis it would be Jokinen. He has been in the NHL since 1999 and only once has been on a playoff team, Calgary in 2009. If you click on the link you can see his playoff stats, all six games worth. Having Jokinen on your roster is like saying "Yeah, I'd rather be golfing in spring than playing hockey."

I mention the Colorado Avalanche because they are three points back of Phoenix thus being in the playoff mix. However after watching them drop two home games against the Minnesota Wild recently I have my doubts whether they can overtake four teams and clinch the final playoff spot in the West.

If you are a fan of Anaheim, Edmonton or Columbus I'm sorry to tell you but your season was done before the start of the new year. In the Blue Jackets case they were done before Halloween.

If I had to pick a team to clinch the final playoff spot in the West it would be between Phoenix and Minnesota. Coincidentally they play each other in the final game of the season in St. Paul on April 7th.

My best guess is the winner of that game gets the final playoff berth. Unless Calgary trades Olli Jokinen in the next couple weeks, then all bets are off.