PHOENIX – The Western Conference is being led by a surprising underdog not only to the league but to the world. When the Vegas Golden Knights were introduced into the league many people thought they would be riding a .500 record or sliding just below it. Now more than halfway through the season the Knights are standing at 35-13-4 with 74pts. That puts them second in the league right behind the Tampa Lightning who are having their own stellar season atop of the whole league.
Center Travis Konecny (#11) of the Philadelphia Flyers reaches for the puck against Defenseman Jay Bouwmeester (#19) of the St Louis Blues as Goalie Jake Allen (#34) hugs the post.
With the Knights reigning over the conference, not far behind them are the Winnipeg Jets. Flying high at 31-15-9 with 71 pts that puts them only three pts behind the Knights. The rest of the conference falling close behind with San Jose, Los Angeles, Nashville, and St. Louis all taking the Central, and Pacific top three spots. Looking at the records and key games throughout the season, the Western Conference is the weaker of the two because there’s a level of strength between the teams.
The power teams reign at the such as the Knights, and Jets, but after that no other team has really made their stamp in the league this season. One could argue that the Nashville Predators should be up there and they are third in the conference, but it’s what we should expect after they went to the Cup Final last year. The Knights went through a lot of scrutiny at the beginning of the season because they start off so hot and most people thought it was just a fluke, but they have proven themselves many times this season with beating the Lightning, Capitals, Penguins, and any other top dog that might think they could take them down.
Playoffs are just over the horizon and there are a handful of teams that are looking to make their push in the last stretch of the season. Dallas, Minnesota, Colorado, Calgary, Anaheim, and Chicago are all battling to get in the top eight of the conference. It will be a tight push; the top teams will lock their spots and each game will become more and more important. The power of the conference has really taken a downfall this year
Right Wing Jakub Voracek (#93) of the Philadelphia Flyers fights for the puck against Goalie Mike Smith (#41) of the Calgary Flames.
because the strengths of the Eastern have dominated the league.
Many people won’t be able to guess what’s going to happen until the season gets closer to an end with the final sports being taken. The Knights, Jets, and Predators I can almost be certain will take three out of the top six spots. Then following them will be the rest of the conference as those teams will battle it out in the push for the playoffs. This year’s playoffs will be more exciting than ever with the Knights making their first ever appearance, and many of the other teams will be heading back to where they once were a few years ago to take a run at the Cup.
You must be logged in to post a comment.