Who is the scariest contender in the West?

[Freudian]

Vegas with MAF.

 

[Cletus56]

If the Blues offense shows up, I'd be terrified of the Note.

I could say the same thing about Stars. In Zuccarello we trust.

 

[Sam Spade]

The Blues are the most complete team, maybe in the NHL, so them.

 

[TheJadePipe]

It's already been said, but the Blues haven't played Winnipeg since they were last in the NHL. If you're expecting that team to be the one you play in the playoffs you are sorely mistaken.

Maybe that’s because the Jets helped put them in last place

 

[OVrocks]

None of these teams have a prayer against Washington or Tampa.

 

[IndustryLeech]

The Blues are the most complete team, maybe in the NHL, so them.

Goaltending is still a major question mark, so I reject your assessment.

 

[Sam Spade]

Goaltending is still a major question mark, so I reject your assessment.

I want to think that as well but the history of inexperienced goaltenders doing great things, from Dryden to Ward to Murray, makes me think it isn't that big of a question mark.

 

[Kranix]

Vegas Knights of Gold

 

[JoeSakic13]

Colorado in the 1st round being the hottest team as the season ends, but Vegas overall.

 

[Hobble]

As a Jets fan, I can honestly say I've pretty scared of my team right now.

 

[RaleighBlues]

Maybe that’s because the Jets helped put them in last place

No, has more to do with Jake Allen. He’s every opposing team's best friend.

 

[Vancouver_2010]

I would say the Canucks is pretty unbeatable.

 

[KirkOut]

Maybe that’s because the Jets helped put them in last place

Very true, if the Blues had won those games they wouldn't have been in last, more like 2nd or 3rd to last. Excellent, relevant point.

 

[Leafsrock95]

Calgary
Nashville
SAN Jose
Vegas

 

[Nalens Oga]

None of them can be called scary. Calgary has a decent points lead but I don't even think they win the division if they were in the Central, like look at the bottom of the Western conference, it's 4 pacific teams.

 

[DecadeofDarkness22]

vegas is my pick, when fleury is on he can steal a game easily.

 

[BlueDream]

Maybe that’s because the Jets helped put them in last place

LOL no. The Blues were losing to everyone at the beginning of the season. LA, Detroit, Anaheim, etc.

Don’t be too proud of yourself bud. The Blues haven’t been the same team since the start of 2019.

 

[Pizza the Hutt]

None of them can be called scary. Calgary has a decent points lead but I don't even think they win the division if they were in the Central, like look at the bottom of the Western conference, it's 4 pacific teams.

That's a fair assessment, but Calgary has the same win % against the Central as they do the Pacific (and Atlantic). However they did absolutely feast on the Metro.

Against the central it breaks down as:

Stars 0-2-1
Jets 2-1
Predators: 2-1
Wild: 2-1
Blackhawks: 3-0
Avalanche: 3-0
Blues: 1-2

So aside from the Stars & Blues winning records against everyone else. Not sure we still don't win it.

 

[mazmin]

Vegas 100%

Went to the finals one year ago and added Stone, Stastny and Pacioretty to that same team.

 

[bdub24]

Jets size is scary AF this time of year

 

[FlameChampion]

Honestly I dont know. Every team in the west has a weakness.

 

[mpp9]

Vegas relied a ton on MAF in the playoffs last year, and when MAF's game fell off, they were pretty quickly defeated by the Caps. They added an entire scoring line this season, so maybe they won't have to lean on goaltending as much.

St. Louis is playing the best hockey at the moment. And remind me of the Pens in 16. A lot of previous playoff disappointment, star player change of scenery, coaching change and youth movement. Powerful combination there.

SJ earlier this season were impressive. But the Karlsson injury and goaltending issues make them a coin toss at best to go deep this year.

Those would be my top 3 choices.

 

[starsfan71]

I don't get the flames love. As a Stars fan that's who I wanted in the first round. Vegas is the only team in the west I don't want to play in any round. They seem to just own us. I believe we have a winning record against the other teams except for maybe the Avs.

 

[Pengwins]

West gets weaker every year

 

[Dbrownss]

I thought the same of Winnipeg last year and then the young, inexperience goalie lost it for them. You have that much faith in 31 game Binnington to be the savior?

I have a wait and see attitude with him.

Allen actually has solid playoff numbers. Not really a bad option if it comes to that.

We dont know how Binnington will do till he does it.