Sorting out the Wild Wild West!

Today I’m going to do my best to tell you who’s going to make the playoffs in the Wild Wild West!

San Jose Sharks (74 points)
Games remaining: 31 (15 home, 16 away)
Longest road trip: 6 (twice)
It will be fun to watch the Sharks and ‘Hawks battle it out for the top seed.

Chicago Blackhawks (72 points)
Games remaining: 31 (14 home, 18 away)
Longest road trip: 5 (remaining on current 8-game trip)
Chicago will be in good shape if they’re on top of the conference after this current trip.

Colorado Avalanche (62 points)
Games remaining: 33 (20 home, 13 away)
Longest road trip: 2 (5 times)
A home-laden schedule without any long road trips means the Avs can only blame themselves if they fall short.

Nashville Predators (61 points)
Games remaining: 33 (16 home, 17 away)
Longest road trip: 4 (3 times)
The Preds have to start winning more consistently at home.

Phoenix Coyotes (61 points)
Games remaining: 32 (13 home, 19 away)
Longest road trip: 4 (twice)
Is Phoenix starting to fall apart?? They could be. Plus, look at all of those road games remaining…

Vancouver Canucks (60 points)
Games remaining: 33 (14 home, 19 away)
Longest road trip: 14
The Olympic road-trip from Hell could make or break Vancouver’s season.

Calgary Flames (58 points)
Games remaining: 32 (16 home, 16 away)
Longest road trip: 3 (twice)
Someone has to get out of the way for Detroit. Is Calgary that team??

Los Angeles Kings (57 points)
Games remaining: 33 (17 home, 16 away)
Longest road trip: 5
The Kings may need some trade deadline help to make the playoffs.

Detroit Red Wings (56 points)
Games remaining: 33 (17 home, 16 away)
Longest road trip: 5
Everyone is assuming they’re going to find a way in… so am I.

Dallas Stars (53 points)
Games remaining: 33 (17 home, 16 away)
Longest road trip: 4
The Stars’ playoff hopes look bleak unless Marty Turco can find his groove again.

Anaheim Ducks (53 points)
Games remaining: 32 (15 home, 17 away)
Longest road trip: 6
Anaheim is rolling right now, and could be a dangerous 8-seed again!

Projected finish:
1. Chicago
2. San Jose
3. Vancouver
4. Colorado
5. Nashville
6. Los Angeles
7. Detroit
8. Calgary
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9. Phoenix
10. Anaheim
11. Minnesota
12. Dallas
13. St. Louis
14. Columbus
15. Edmonton

Tomorrow I’ll bring you the Eastern Conference rundown!