Ok! It seems like we had 'technical difficulties' last time.{ Or, every Phoenix Coyotes relative somehow voted}. Let's try again. We want to know, "Which team (other than Vancouver) is the favorite to win the West?! And, for a quick summary of what the numbers say continue after the jump. And for a detailed look behind the numbers check here. {A look at Canuck chances coming in the next post!}

Team: Los Angeles

Why they can win?

• Surprisingly high puck possession numbers {4th in the league}
• Starting to score after the trade deadline - defense/goaltending is rock solid
  
• Playoff success/experience {Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and coach Daryl Sutter}

Why the can't win?

• Will not score enough and Jeff Carter injury a big blow
  
• Potential west coast travel schedule nightmare especially if they finish 7th or 8th.

Team : Detroit

Why they can win?

• Playoff success/experience {cup winners everywhere}
• Outstanding on home ice including breaking the league record
• Depth scoring at the forward position
  
• Great puck possession numbers again {of course, they invented the stat :) }

Why they can't win?

• Injuries to key players; are they healthy? And, are they ready for a long playoff grind? { Nick Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk, Jimmy Howard, Dan Cleary etc}
• Road record is below average and it looks like they will start the first round on the road.
• Goaltender Jimmy Howard is unproven and also has had an injury.
  

Team: St. Louis

Why they can win?

• Great 5 on 5 team {especially if refs throw away the whistle come playoffs}
• Top puck possession team
• Great home ice record
• Coach knows how to get it done!
  

Why they can't win?

• Not quite enough scoring
• Overall lack of playoff experience/success
• Play hard every night - Have they peaked too early?

Team Nashville:

Why they can win?

• Goal scoring has improved
• Have two defense studs (Shea Weber, and Ryan Suter) who can play 25+ minutes a game
• New additions ad skill, experience and depth {Paul Gaustad, Hal Gill, Alexander Radulov}

Why they can't win?

• Puck possession number still remarkably low {29th in league}
• 5 on 5 goal differential not dominant
• Very little playoff experience/success

Team Chicago :

Why they can win?

• Offense still cup worthy
• Puck possession number still strong
• Playoff experience/success, a recent cup winner
  

Why they can't win?

• Goaltending as bad as ever
• Health status of their leader ; Jonathan Toews still in doubt
• No defensive depth after Duncan 'cheap shot' Keith and Keith Seabrook

Team San Jose :

Why they can win?

• Still lead the league in all 'shots for' categories { 5 on 5 and power play}
• The return of top forward Martin Havlat a real boost
• Size matters - one of the league's biggest teams

Why they can't win?

• Goal scoring is surprisingly down
• Goaltending {Anti Nemni is spotty at best}
  
• Sorry! Their 'window to win' is officially closed

Team : Dallas

Why they can win?

• full of underrated players {Stephan Robidos, ,Kari Lehtenon},
  
• has a gritty, tough to play against playoff-type players - Brenden Morrow,Steve Ott

Why they can't win?

• Happy to be there mentality
• Little playoff experience/success
• Goal Differential just not strong enough

Team Phoenix:

• strong down the middle
  
• Full of young underrated unheralded players
• May catch teams taking them lightly

Why they can't win?

• Little home ice advantage due to small fan base
• Goal scoring stats not yet Cup worthy
  
• Gary Bettman would have to congratulate himself {as team owner} for winning.

Tell us, What do you think?

We will break down the Canucks chances in depth in the next post!