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!