NHL Western Conference Playoffs: Who's In, Who's Out (March 14 Edition)

As we reach mid-March, any glance at the Western Conference standings on causes gasps, examination, and pangs of stress from any fans of the teams involved. With just under a month remaining in the season, though, there is still plenty of time for streaks to occur, major injuries to happen, and positions to change.

Here I'll take a look at how well each team is doing, how well they might do in the upcoming four tight, stressful weeks, who the pressure will effect and who it won't, and, finally, who's in and who's out of the 2009 Western Conference playoffs.

The Western Conference playoff race involves about seven teams: Edmonton, Dallas, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis, Anaheim, and Los Angeles. They cover the seventh through 13th spots in the Western Conference standings, even though these seven teams are separated by just five measly points.

In fact, six of the teams (all of them but LA) are separated by just two points: a single win.

So, without further introduction, let's get to what you've been waiting for: your team-by-team analysis!

Edmonton Oilers

Currently: 72 points: 32-27-8. 15 games remaining (GR). T-seventh.

The Oilers are a team that has been under the radar all year, because they have no real standout talent, but they are managing to put wins together and currently hold a playoff spot. Trade deadline acquisition Patrick O'Sullivan (from LA) is also fitting in well.

Edmonton also has a fairly easy schedule in the final month, and nine of their 15 games left will be at home.

However, they haven't been that good at home this season, have won just three times in their last 11 games, and they have six games remaining against teams clearly above them in the standings.

Those burdens, plus the close playoff chase, will end up knocking them barely out of the playoffs in a tiebreaker.

Projected Record "Down the Stretch": 7-5-3, 17 points.

Projected Final Record: 89 points: 39-32-11.

Playoffs: OUT

Dallas Stars

Currently: 72 points: 32-28-8. 14 GR. T-seventh.

The Dallas Stars struggled mightily in the first few months of the season, failing to even come close to meet expectations that they had set before the season began. In the winter, though, they were able to come back to together get several long winning streaks going. Now, Dallas is in a playoff position, though they are barely holding onto it.

But Turco has possibly had the worst season of his prominent career, and the defense, so filled with talent, has not been very good at all. So, playoffs seem like an unlikely destination for this team this year.

Projected Record "Down the Stretch": 5-6-3: 13 points.

Project Final Record: 85 points: 37-34-11

Playoffs: OUT

Minnesota Wild

Currently: 71 points: 32-28-7. 15 GR. T-ninth.

They've also been pretty ignored throughout most of the season (except for a great start in October), but Niklas Backstrom's steady goaltending has put them in a good shot for the playoffs.

They have a very tough schedule in the closing week of March, which may end up being the doom of the Wild's hopes, but if Minnesota can survive that, they may end up sneaking into the playoffs!

Projected Record "Down the Stretch": 9-4-2, 20 points.

Projected Final Record: 91 points: 41-32-9.

Playoffs: IN

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?