NHL Western Conference Betting: The contenders rated

NHL / Richard Douglas / 15 December 2009 / Leave a Comment

Craig Andersson is one of the men behind Colorado's unexpected assault on the Stanley Cup

"The Colorado Avalanche's campaign has been akin to Wolves nestling in behind Chelsea at the top of the Premier League after half-a-dozen games and then somehow settling in for a long-term assault on the top prize."

Richard Douglas catches up with the progress of teams in the Conference so far

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To be honest these days I can't remember what I had for breakfast by the time mid-morning comes around so there is little chance of recalling with accuracy my pre-season thoughts on the Western Conference. The only consolation for any false predictions is that logic has entirely left that League this season.

Frankly, it's a bloody stupid division that really needs to sort its life out. Let's start with Colorado Avalanche. Their campaign has been akin to Wolves nestling in behind Chelsea at the top of the Premier League after half-a-dozen games and then somehow settling in for a long-term assault on the top prize. They came into the campaign laden with a rookie general manager and coach but have maintained their early pace. As present they have 44 points, just one behind Conference leaders San Jose Sharks. Interestingly they have a poor 3-6 record in Overtime. So there had been no luck here and, generally, when they have won they have won well.

As ever a netminder is, literally, behind everything. Step forward Craig Andersson. Meanwhile rookies Ryan O'Reilly and Matt Duchene have weighed-in unexpectedly. In October they won 10 of 14 games. Perhaps November and December have been less dominant but they still look strong play-off possibilities when, at the start of the campaign, their only likely achievement would be taking the wooden spoon.

Nashville Predators have joined them in the play-off bracket. They made it there from 2004 to 2008 but were seen a fading force last term even before they let Scott Nichol and Vernon Fiddler leave in the summer.

The Los Angeles Kings, recently toppled as Conference leaders, are another trend-bucker. OK, there had been steady improvement in recent years. However this franchise have not made the play-offs since 2002, yet they have amassed 45 points the same as San Jose and Washington, who own the NHL's best record right now. The Kings are 7-1-1 in their last nine games and 21-11-3 overall. Last season, Los Angeles didn't get their 21st victory until February 3.

"We're where we want to be, but we feel we haven't reached our potential yet. And that's our job -- to go out and find it and really dominate teams, which I know we can," said forward Justin Williams.

"I think we've shown this season that we're an elite team in this Conference, and a team that deserves respect."

In contrast, the Anaheim Ducks have simply sunk. Back in September, one earnest previewer suggested: "The Ducks remain the Sharks biggest rival for Pacific Division honours". Whoops. (And, before you ask, no it was not me).

A terrible October was alleviated by a better November but only because the majority of games were played on home ice at the Honda Centre. So far, December has been depressingly familiar. They have hit rock bottom and started to dig.

Phoenix Coyotes will probably find their way back to the same place by the end of the season. But right now they remain in the play-off places. An attempted move to Hamilton, Ontario had been blocked by the League, who, after legal wrangling, took over the ownership of the team.

In the meantime they managed to pull off a 3-0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Stanley Cup holders and the favourites to retain their crown this season.The acquisition of two veteran coaches for which the word 'wily' was invented - Dave Tippett and Dave King - has been the key.

The Edmonton Oilers may be replacing them. A decent October of 7-6-1 was followed by a terrible record of 3-6-2 up to the last week of November. But since then they have rattled up five straight wins. Last term, the Oilers fans wanted their season to utterly fall apart after missing the play-offs so they could take advantage of a higher draft pick.
That may not be an option this time around.