Looking Toward the 2009 NHL Playoffs: Western Conference

Mark Jones' Western Conference Playoff Predictions

The only two teams that really have a shot to represent the West in the Stanley Cup are obvious: San Jose and Detroit. Nobody else has a chance. Still, without any further raving about the Sharks and Wings, lets get to the picks...

1. San Jose Sharks

A 110-point season, anyone?! I think they can certainly make it that far. This team is very impressive; they have talent all through the lineup, all the way to Nabokov. The Sharks have no weakness, at least that I can see, and they're playing like it, too.

2. Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings are the only Western team that has a chance to catch San Jose, but I think the Sharks have just a bit too much talent. Experience could definitely help this talented Detroit team if they want to repeat, though.

Ty Conklin has really emerged as a top-of-the-line goaltender, and the Wings have gone 6-1 in their last seven games, outscoring opponents 31-17 during that stretch.

3. Calgary Flames

Only about as good as the fifth or sixth team, but they can hold on to win the fairly weak Northwest Division.

Minnesota might give them a bit of a run for the title in March, but the Flames have built up a large enough lead to be able to coast through to a division title.

4. Dallas Stars

After a very shaky autumn, this team has really caught on lately. They're 8-2 in their L10, and if they can keep that up, they could overtake the Blackhawks and be in a good position heading into the playoffs.

However, the Stars trail the 'Hawks by seven points, so they need to continue this hot streak if they wish to catch them.

5. Chicago Blackhawks

I predict that Chicago will be barely edged out of the fourth spot by Dallas, but then they'll just get to deal with the Stars themselves in the first round of the playoffs.

However, if the Blackhawks want to stay in contention with this young team, Chicago needs to slightly pick up their recent .500 play and win some more games.

6. Minnesota Wild

This is a good team that has not yet really emerged as an excellent team. They're currently in the playoffs at a tie for eighth with Columbus, but Edmonton at 10th is just a single point behind.

However, I believe that they will catch on in the last month or so, and possibly over Calgary in the Northwest.

7. Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks' defense is what will carry this team into the playoffs, again. Goaltending has been a bit inconsistent for the entire season, and Anaheim is just 5-5 in L10.

However, they have beaten the Flames in back-to-back games, which might help them in sneaking into the Western Conference playoffs, with Columbus, Edmonton, Nashville, and Phoenix right on their heels.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets

In a prediction that no one would have imagined at the beginning of the season, the Jackets might be able to barely sneak into the playoffs.

Despite being surrounded by teams that all want this last spot, goaltending may be what leads Columbus into the final playoff spot. Of course, all that glory will end as soon as the playoffs begin, when the Blue Jackets head out to the Shark Tank.

Playoff Results

First Round

(1) Sharks defeat (8) Blue Jackets, 4-0

(2) Red Wings defeat (7) Ducks, 4-1

(6) Minnesota defeats (3) Calgary, 4-3

(4) Dallas defeats (5) Chicago, 4-3

Second Round

(1) Sharks defeat (6) Wild, 4-1

(2) Red Wings defeat (4) Dallas, 4-1

Conference Finals

(1) Sharks defeat (2) Red Wings, 4-3

Stanley Cup

(1) Sharks defeat (East #1) Devils, 4-2

Barely Out

9. Vancouver Canucks

I just have a gut feeling that this isn't a playoff team this season. Luongo can try all he wants, and he may end up getting them in after all, but this team just doesn't have enough talent to make into the playoffs surrounded by so many contenders.

10. Los Angeles Kings

Nobody ever thought they'd make it even to 10th, but this will be a disappointment for the Kings and their fans. They are 7-2-1 in their L10, but they're just way too inexperienced in pressure situations to be able to pull off the miracle.

However, they may get within three or four points of eighth, which would certainly be an improvement from last season!

11. Edmonton Oilers

Another team that has been a contender from time to time in the past five years, but I don't think they'll make it. Goaltending is a big issue for the Oilers playoff hopes, and they're below .500 in straight wins/losses (27-28).

Not Quite Good Enough

12. Nashville Predators

This team may finally be coming into form, but they just aren't enough of a team to make it into the playoffs in this tightly packed Western Conference.

13. Phoenix Coyotes

Gretzky is their coach, and with him, you never know what might happen. Still, this is a very young team, and it might take a year or two before they really become ready to make the playoffs.

That is probably what is happening now, considering that the Coyotes are 2-8 in their last 10 games.

14. St. Louis Blues

I think that they'll finish no higher than 14th, but St. Louis is still a decent team. In the East, they'd finish no lower than 11th, at worst.

15. Colorado Avalanche

No one is impressed with this team's recent play; 2-8 in their L10. That is certainly not going to make it into the playoffs. Last place in the Western Conference may be this team's destiny, even though they really aren't that bad.

For the Eastern Conference predictions, you can follow this link:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/123865-looking-towards-the-09-nhl-playoffs-eastern-conference