BEST in the WEST

Deja Vous

The Best in the West has turned into a nine team race for those elusive 8 playoff slots   With all  nine teams being within 5 points in the standings, it looks to be a shoot out as we approach trade deadline and the stretch run.

At the top is Juice’s Yote’s. With 76 points and 2 games in hand, Justin looks to be the team to beat. Going 6-2-2 in his last 10, Arizona is playing well. Zegras is showing why he was a highly touted prospect bettering a point a game. Being a GM that likes to trade, who knows what our boy will do. Will he try to Juice the team or will that turn sour?

The ever dominant Avalanche is hanging right with Arizona looking to make the desert a little chilly.  Kirk always has something up his sleeve.  With 74 points and a 5-4-1 record the last 10, the Aves are just hanging around.  When you look over that powerhouse, you wonder why Karlsson, a D is the only player over 80 points.  Don’t be surprised if the legend doesn’t pull off some deadline trades to solidify another Cup final.

Third in the West is the Pacific leading Oilers.  The Oil has played the fewest games in the West but still has managed to slip by everyone in the Pacific.  Tied with the Aves and a game in hand on the Yotes, it looks like Chris is ready for a deep run as is.  With Micky D having 91 is it hard to see? 

Next we head back to the Central for the Preds.  Another GM that likes to trade in Patrick.  Nashville has been hot of late going 7-3.  Sporting 73 points in 60 games, Patrick is looking good.  Patrick being a trading guy is always looking to better his team.  Lookout if he finds a helpful piece or two.

Matching the 73 points in one less game is Calgary of the Pacific.  Jeff’s Flames are playing well with a 6-4 record in their last 10. Riding the Hot Rasmus Andersson with 45 points, they are looking like a team that can stick around. 

The Minny Soda Wild Fire is 4th in the Central and have 72 points. You have just read about them but … currently the hottest western contender 7-2-1 having played 59.  Davey is riding Stone with 50 points and Zib with 69 points.  Personally I would be afraid to make any move the way this team has been playing.

The once on top Vegas Knights are in a mini slump at the moment losing their last 3.  It happens. Question is … does our trading machine Steve panic?   Let’s hope not.  There is always room for improvement but not at the cost of chemistry.  The Knights are 5-4-1 in their last 10. With 72 points in the standings they are a far cry from panic mode. They have well balanced scoring.  It is just a walk in the park. 

The Dallas Stars of the Central currently sit 9th with 71 points in 61 games.  The Stars are 4-5-1 in their last 10. Jake likes to trade. There have been multiple pieces moving in the past 30, even 60 days.  We don’t know what we have here.  Is it a team that in the next couple weeks that will find itself and takeoff?  Or will it just go through the motions? 

On to the thing everyone is curious about: It’s all the same, only the year has changed.  After putting forth an effort to make a run last year, the Kings find themselves in the same situation.  A slow start looking like a good pick position on the horizon then playoff contention seems to be destined. 

Winning 6 of the last 10 games, the Kings have been rolling along.  During this run, the had team started by beating 3 top 10 teams including the league leading Boston Bruins.  Then proceeded to lose to 3 top 10 teams. With this kind of a roller coaster, what is to be done as we get closer to trade deadline?   The Franchise has already parted with some good young talented pieces. Is it worth it to try to make another run this year?  Or will adding pieces screw with the chemistry? 

This team had a good run in the playoffs last year.  As sports go, sometimes, there are teams you just can’t beat on a regular basis. Colorado is one such team.  The Aves just have the Kings number. It is like the name says … an Avalanche when it comes to surviving Kirk’s boys.  The Kings get smothered.  How is it that they lost in the Finals?   My father told me about 30 years ago, ALL professional sports are fixed.  We have seen it countless times.  Let’s start with Hull’s foot in the crease.  It seems Simon has made this system as realistic as possible  Had the Kings not lost in the Conference finals to the Aves last year, the Smart money would have been on the Kings who have never lost to the lowly Habs on this portal.  So again, how could the Aves lose? 

To dispel all those rumors about the East, they are not all that good. It is all about the Kings getting out of the West. Let us look at the top teams:
Boston 1 & 1  LA 9 goals. Bos 5 goals
Toronto 0 & 2 both OT loses. Just like real life.  No Heart.
Tampa 1 & 0  4-0 Shut out (runs in the freaking family)
Sabres 0 & 2 LA 7 goals. Buf 2 goals.
Caps 1 & 1.
Preds  1 & 1
Fla  0 & 2
And naturally … as previously stated …. Montreal Zero wins. LA Kings 2.
Just what they like to tell themselves…
With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, what do the Kings do?  Seems to me, if it makes sense, ok.  If I lose too much, forget it it. The fix is already in. 

GOOD LUCK to ALL and have FUN!