The western conference is in euphoria. Ever since the 2021 embarrassment of no team from the central or pacific divisions going to the Stanley Cup Finals, the past two champions have been from the west. Many viewers wonder if the Golden Knights can become the third team to win back-to-back titles in the last ten years. Unlike the Avalanche last season, Vegas isn’t dealing with waves of injuries, especially to their captain. Yet there will be competition and pushback from teams such as Minnesota, Colorado and Seattle. The Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars have a lot to prove after their embarrassing playoff exits. Outside of these six teams, it’s a race to clinch the bottom two seeds in the conference. A team like Nashville could break out and do damage to whoever clinches the first or second seed, possibly throwing the playoffs into doubt. It’s time to break down which four teams in each division can make the push to the postseason for 2023-24.
Pacific
Vegas Golden Knights
The current Stanley Cup champions have one of the best rosters, coaching staffs, wills, and management in the league. They also added some skill players like Max Comtois in free agency. Don’t be surprised if they come close to a back-to-back title run.
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will drag this corpse of a team into the postseason as long as there are eight spots open. What happens next is anyone’s guess.
Seattle Kraken
The difference between the Kraken’s playoff run last year and New Jersey’s are the number of older, skilled postseason veterans who compose the core of either team. Ron Francis’ construction of the youngest franchise in the league will be more fun to watch once younger players like Matty Beniers grow more comfortable into leadership roles. For now, Seattle must return to playing better defense while retaining their offensive scoring barrages.
Los Angeles Kings
I’m not truly sold on Los Angeles returning to the postseason but the remaining four teams in the division are either re-building or have no idea what to do with their available talent. The Kings adding Cam Talbot and Pierre-Luc Dubois while retaining Kevin Fiala, Vladislav Gavrikov and Viktor Arvidsson assure them a lower seed come May.
Central
Minnesota Wild
A goalie controversy is brewing but the roster is getting closer to a deep postseason run. One of the few western teams that has everything in their favor and no excuses.
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado was plagued by injuries last season and somehow won the division. Good luck to the rest of the central.
Dallas Stars
Keep an eye on how well the defense does the first half of the season especially goalie Jake Oettinger. They won’t replicate last season’s success but players such as Joe Pavelski, Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen make the Stars a popular third option behind the Avalanche and Wild.
Nashville Predators
It’s hard to choose the fourth team. Arizona and Chicago are absolute non-factors while St. Louis doesn’t have the depth and Winnipeg could be sellers by the trade deadline. The default option is the Nashville Predators.
The signings of Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist should elevate the top two lines’ performances on offense and special teams. Despite these positive additions and determined mindsets, new general manager Barry Trotz will have a lot to figure out throughout the season.
2022-2023 Western conference playoff predictions record: 4-4
JD's Sportscorner 