Since the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings have been dominating the Western Conference, the rhetoric often heard is that seeding doesn’t matter. The 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs could prove as the first where seeding matters in the Wild West.
The Central Division is a three-team race between Chicago, Dallas and St. Louis. In the past week all three teams have owned first place. All three teams have also owned third place in that same period.
Chicago has proved they don’t need home-ice for a successful playoff run. What they do need is health and short early round series. The Blues and Stars have both struggled to gain playoff success no matter who the opponent is.
This year, first place means only having to play one of those other two teams. Whoever finishes in the second and third spots will have a tough first round between each other and, if chalk holds, have to travel to the first place team in the Division Final. Life would seem to be much more pleasurable facing Colorado or Minnesota in the opening round.
The Pacific is another three-horse race in Northern and Southern California. Oddly, home-ice advantage could mean even less than usual.
Photo by Jack Lima
San Jose could be best served finishing in third place. They sport the best road record in the NHL while holding the worst home record of potential playoff teams. Of course, as terrible as they have been at home, they did just take down the league’s best team in Washington at the Shark Tank.
Both the Ducks and Kings have played very well inside their own buildings. The “prize” for winning their division is most likely a date with Nashville. Arguments can be made as to the “easier” opponent. It should be noted the Predators are 4-1-2 against the Pacific’s big three.
They key is travel and time zones. The runner ups will stay within their state and fly up and down the California coast. The champion will have to fly back and forth to the Central time zone, likely with only a single day off. A long series across two time zones could hurt in following rounds.
No matter how the standings shake out, the fans should win. The Western Conference playoffs are shaping up to be an exciting three rounds. The folks out east better start getting extra sleep now. April will bring some late nights.
Follow Adam on Twitter @Adam_PHN and you can always reach him at adam.minnick@prohockeynews.com
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