With approximately 20 games left for each team we separate the contenders from the pretenders for NHL Postseason play. I also list four teams to fade the rest of the way in each conference.
Top 5 NHL Western Conference teams
#1 Chicago Blackhawks (41-15-5, 87 points) 1st Place in Central
In my opinion they are the best team in Hockey right now. Chicago has no weakness and can play any style of game. They can beat you 3-1 or 6-5, it doesn't really matter. And if you get them in Overtime you better watch out. The Blackhawks have 0 looses in the first OT and will outclass foes in the shootout. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, and Patrick Kane are unstoppable when having free reign to the Goal. The Blackhawks are tied with the Bruins and LA Kings for most shoot-out wins. (8) The Blackhawks are so fast and skillful they create a lot of scoring chances. In fact, they lead the entire NHL in shots-on-goal with 2,064 and rank #2 in scoring chances. I would expect to see the Blackhawks in the Western Conference Finals this season.
What are scoring chances? I have had a lot of people ask me that question. Here is the answer.
~There isn't an actual equation for calculating scoring chances. But all shots are different. Basically, a scoring chance would be a shot that has a high chance of getting in the goal. Judge it on how the crowd reacts; if the crowd gasps and moans when the shot didn't go in, it's probably a scoring chance.~
#2 San Jose Sharks (40-13-9, 89 points) 1st Place in Pacific
The Sharks have two more points than the Blackhawks and the most road wins (21) in all of Hockey. The Sharks are known for having great regular seasons and than playing awful in April. They have won 0 Stanley Cup Championships. Don't get me wrong this team could very well make it this year but they will have to get past Chicago in the Western Conference Finals. They are loaded up front with Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, and Patrick Marleau and getting lights-out Goaltending every night. E. Nabokov has a 2.26 GAA with a .928 save percentage. The Sharks lead the West in scoring with 204 goals in 62 games. They will have to overcome the post-season jinx that has been with them for nearly a decade.
#3 Vancouver Canucks (37-22-2, 76 points) 1st Place in Northwest
The Canucks are blessed with balance and the best Goalie in all of Hockey. Roberto Luongo is 31-17-4 with a 2.35 GAA and .919 save percentage. Roberto is tall, big, and so skillful he is capable of taking this team to the Stanley Cup Finals by himself. The Canucks lack that killer instinct and suffocating defense to make it very far.
#4 LA Kings (37-20-4, 78 points) 3rd Place in Pacific
The LA Kings are my 2009-10 Western Conference Spotlight team and they have not disappointed anyone. You can read that article at www.jhsportsline.com. This team is very focused and very talented! It's too bad they play in the Toughest division this season.
#5 Detroit Red Wings (28-21-12, 68 points) 3rd Place in Central
The Red Wings are now healthy and poised to make a serious run at post-season play. Lets hope nobody gets hurt while playing in the Olympics.
Teams to fade: Phoenix, Nashville, Colorado, Anaheim
Top 5 NHL Eastern Conference Teams
#1 Washington Capitals (41-13-8, 90 points) 1st Place in Southeast
I sure hope you have been playing the "Over" in all Capitals' games this season. They have scored the most (247) and have allowed the second most (177) out of all the first place teams. The Capitals could wear down late after facing the most shots-on-goal per game this season. Alex Ovechkin has 42 goals and 47 dimes in 54 games and if he stays out of trouble could win the MVP. They have lost 3 in a row and you could say this team has peaked too soon. It takes a commitment to defense to win in the Post-season and will need to figure that out sooner than later. The Capitals are 23-3-3 at home and just 18-10-5 on the road. They have the worst road defense for a team that has 90 points. I am not sold on them.
#2 New Jersey Devils (37-21-3, 77 points) 1st Place in Atlantic
The New Jersey Devils were supposed to take a step back this season but have been solid all season long. Blessed with a suffocating defense and a future Hall of Fame Goalie in Marty Brodeur. The Devils have allowed just 144 goals in 61 games which ranks #1 in all of Hockey. New Jersey has gone long stretches without scoring but some pressure has been lifted after trading for Ilya Kovalchuk. There is going to be an adjustment period because Kovalchuck has been playing in a much different system. In fact, the Devils are trying too hard to get him the puck and they have struggled losing two out of three before the Olympic break. If the Devils can play their game like normal he will add some much-needed scoring. The Devils are 17-12-2 on the road and will need to play better if they want to reach the Eastern Conf. Finals.
#3 Pittsburgh Penguins (36-22-4, 76 points) 2nd Place in Atlantic
Pittsburgh has not had the type of regular season success this season like they did in 2008-09. They have been injured a lot (Gonchar has only played in 46 games, Kunitz has only played in 34 games) and might be suffering from a post Stanley Cup hangover. The defending Stanley Cup Champions will be a very dangerous team in the playoffs if they can get healthy. Offense has not been the problem this season. Only the Caps have scored more goals than the Penguins in the East. What saves the Penguins is their Goalie, Marc-Andre Fleury who has a 29-16-5 record, with a 2.65 GAA, and .908 save percentage. He is one of the most under-rated Goalies in Hockey today.
#4 Philadelphia Flyers (32-25-3, 67 points) 3rd Place in Atlantic
Very talented team that started slow but are showing signs of figuring things out. They have won 4 in a row before the break with two of those against the Devils. When I dig deep into the stats this team ranks higher than most. They will need to start winning more games on the road to be taken seriously. I just have a feeling this team will continue it's winning ways down the stretch.
#5 Ottawa Senators (36-23-4, 76 points) 1st Place in Northeast
Ottawa Senators are my 2009-10 Eastern Conf. Spotlight team. You can read that article at www.jhsportsline.com but this team has won with smoke and Mirrors. They have allowed more goals than they have scored. Never a good sign! They are also 13-15-1 on the road. Out of all the first place teams they impress me the least and it would not surprise me if Buffalo wins the NE division.
Teams to fade: Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Florida, Carolina
Jeff H