The Red Wings made a mockery of the Western Conference during the regular season last year, but there was no such dominating team this season. The Stars bounced back from missing the playoffs altogether to lay claim to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. The Blues hung with the Wings in the Central for much of the season before fading late and finishing fifth. But it was the Northwest race that proved historic, with the Avalanche coming from fourth place in late December to nip the Canucks on the final day of the season for their record ninth straight division crown. Here are some capsule comments on the Western Conference teams.
After spending last postseason on the sidelines, the Stars returned to contender status. Dallas came out of the gate in October clicking on all cylinders. The team took to immediately new coach Dave Tippett. High-profile free agent Bill Guerin fit in right away. Goaltender Marty Turco looked like capable of top billing from the get go. In getting off to such a great start, the Stars ran away with the Pacific Division.
They kept that torrid pace up for most of the season, slowing slightly when Guerin and Turco went out of the lineup in late February. Tippett used the time to assess his team's ability to deal with adversity, noting that they had experienced little in the way of hardship until then. In the end, those injuries didn't even cost the Stars the Presidents' Trophy and top spot in the West, so nothing was lost.
Overall, the Stars' return to prominence shouldn't shock anyone. The nucleus that won the Stanley Cup in 1999 remains intact, led by Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen up front, with Sergei Zubov and Derian Hatcher on the blueline. The blend of new faces around this group has the Stars in position to make another run at the title -- in a similar fashion that made them successful in '99. The Stars still play stifling defense and they enter the playoffs with the best goals-against average in the conference. But Tippett gives them latitude to press the attack if the opportunity is there, even when they are leading.
Now the trick is having Turco make that style stand up in the same manner in the playoffs as he so impressively delivered on in the regular season.
Not Just Numbers: The Stars cemented their return to the top by sharing three accomplishments with the Senators and the Red Wings. All three teams won a league-leading 28 games on home ice and were the only teams to place in the top 10 in both power-play and penalty-killing efficiency.
The Red Wings sit primed to defend their title. They ripped through the final 30 or so games of the season, displaying their hallmark game of precision passing and up-tempo skating. Not surprisingly, the Wings' overall excellence emerged around the same time goaltender Curtis Joseph found his form. After struggling throughout the first half of the season, Joseph adjusted to his new surroundings.
And speaking of new, part of the Red Wings' look this season includes rookies Dmitri Bykov and Henrik Zetterberg. Both have fit in nicely, particularly Zetterberg playing on a line with sophomore Pavel Datsyuk and Brett Hull. The trio worked well together in the second half, with the two kids creating with a dazzling array of moves and Hull stealthily finding the openings and releasing his still peerless shot.
Also, coinciding with their late-season statement run was the return of captain Steve Yzerman. He remains the heart and soul of the Red Wings. Of course, if you ask him, he downplays his effect citing the team's overall make up. With Sergei Fedorov and Brendan Shanahan scoring 30 goals again this season, you can see his point. Still, the one guy they can least afford to lose is defenseman Niklas Lidstrom. He makes this team go on so many levels that if he has quietly assumed pivotal player status on a team full of elite players.
In asking several coaches and scouts which team is the best they've seen this year, most replied Detroit. In other words, don't expect the Red Wings to relinquish their title easily.
Not Just Numbers: As star studded as their roster is, the Red Wings' strongest suit might be their balance. They had 13 players score in double digits, the most in the NHL.
Everything returned to normal in the second half for the Avalanche -- as it has over the past several seasons. This time, they changed coaches instead of waiting for the annual correction, and that may become more of an issue in the playoffs than it was during the regular season. The playoffs are more about matchups because it is series play, which will test rookie coach Tony Granato's bench acumen to the fullest.
Still, this deep, veteran laden Avs squad is capable of self-governing to some degree. That's not to say Granato hasn't done a fine job and had an impact. He adjusted the forecheck, instituted a more aggressive penalty-killing scheme and made the defensemen much more active on the offensive rush. Still, things came together when goaltender Patrick Roy shook off the slowest start in many seasons to return to top form after the All-Star Game. Then Peter Forsberg stepped up at center when Joe Sakic went out of the lineup shortly after the All-Star break and vaulted into the MVP race with his performance. He and linemates Milan Hejduk and Alex Tanguay were unstoppable at times, piling up points at a prodigious pace.
All of those elements combined to allow the Avalanche to reclaim their edge at home. Early in the season, they gave points away by failing to put opponents away in Denver. Well, they finished the season by losing but one of their last 17 games at the Pepsi Center. It was just barely enough to overtake the Canucks in the Northwest race, fulfilling their chase of history by winning their record ninth divisional title. With regular-season history on their side, this edition of the Avalanche looks to become a team of playoff destiny.
Not Just Numbers: On a team note, the nine consecutive divisional titles eclipse the eight in a row by the Montreal Canadiens from 1975-82. On an individual note, Forsberg becomes the first Swede to win the Art Ross trophy as the NHL's leading scorer.
The Vancouver Canucks followed up their strong second half of last season with a complete showing this year. Their consistency begs the question: Are the Canucks good enough to go all the way?
On the upside, the Canucks have an elite power play and were the best road show in the NHL, earning 54 points outside Vancouver. And their group of defensemen might be the most underrated in the league. The acquisitions of Sami Salo and Marek Malik gave them two dependable stay-at-home types that are good on the breakout. All of these attributes bode well for the Canucks in the playoffs.
Of course, you can't discuss Vancouver without mentioning the formidable top line of Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison and Todd Bertuzzi. Many are touting both Bertuzzi and Naslund as Hart Trophy candidates and with good reason. Each provides the perfect foil for the other -- Bertuzzi with his brute strength and Naslund with his silky-smooth style. At even strength and especially on the power play, the pair provides the potency to the Canucks' offense.
In goal, Dan Cloutier battled late-season injuries but otherwise continued his development as a true No. 1 netminder. As is the case with any young starter, his credibility hangs in the balance, inextricably linked to postseason success. And that's where the Canucks finds themselves as a team as well. To take the next step, they must overcome the dismay and disappointment of failing to hold onto the divisional lead on the last day of the season. It won't be easy, particularly with an offense that is so heavily reliant on one line and a goaltender who has but eight games of playoff experience.
Not Just Numbers: Despite Bertuzzi and Naslund getting most of the publicity, it is centerman Morrison who leads all Canucks forwards in time on ice per game with 21:11.
For the most part, the Blues' season has to be viewed a success. They overcame injuries throughout, as well as instability in goal. Throw in their penchant for mixing it up -- they were the most penalized team in the league -- and it's a wonder St. Louis made it through the grind of the regular season at all.
Unfortunately for Blues fans, those same obstacles linger as the playoffs begin. Keith Tkachuk remains banged up. Doug Weight continues to nurse an endless array of injures. And Chris Pronger is having a hard time establishing his game after missing all but five games. Meanwhile, goaltender Chris Osgood continued his inconsistent play once coming over from the Islanders at the trade deadline. And the penalties just keep on coming.
After spending last postseason on the sidelines, the Stars returned to contender status. Dallas came out of the gate in October clicking on all cylinders. The team took to immediately new coach Dave Tippett. High-profile free agent Bill Guerin fit in right away. Goaltender Marty Turco looked like capable of top billing from the get go. In getting off to such a great start, the Stars ran away with the Pacific Division.
They kept that torrid pace up for most of the season, slowing slightly when Guerin and Turco went out of the lineup in late February. Tippett used the time to assess his team's ability to deal with adversity, noting that they had experienced little in the way of hardship until then. In the end, those injuries didn't even cost the Stars the Presidents' Trophy and top spot in the West, so nothing was lost.
Overall, the Stars' return to prominence shouldn't shock anyone. The nucleus that won the Stanley Cup in 1999 remains intact, led by Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen up front, with Sergei Zubov and Derian Hatcher on the blueline. The blend of new faces around this group has the Stars in position to make another run at the title -- in a similar fashion that made them successful in '99. The Stars still play stifling defense and they enter the playoffs with the best goals-against average in the conference. But Tippett gives them latitude to press the attack if the opportunity is there, even when they are leading.
Now the trick is having Turco make that style stand up in the same manner in the playoffs as he so impressively delivered on in the regular season.
Not Just Numbers: The Stars cemented their return to the top by sharing three accomplishments with the Senators and the Red Wings. All three teams won a league-leading 28 games on home ice and were the only teams to place in the top 10 in both power-play and penalty-killing efficiency.
The Red Wings sit primed to defend their title. They ripped through the final 30 or so games of the season, displaying their hallmark game of precision passing and up-tempo skating. Not surprisingly, the Wings' overall excellence emerged around the same time goaltender Curtis Joseph found his form. After struggling throughout the first half of the season, Joseph adjusted to his new surroundings.
And speaking of new, part of the Red Wings' look this season includes rookies Dmitri Bykov and Henrik Zetterberg. Both have fit in nicely, particularly Zetterberg playing on a line with sophomore Pavel Datsyuk and Brett Hull. The trio worked well together in the second half, with the two kids creating with a dazzling array of moves and Hull stealthily finding the openings and releasing his still peerless shot.
Also, coinciding with their late-season statement run was the return of captain Steve Yzerman. He remains the heart and soul of the Red Wings. Of course, if you ask him, he downplays his effect citing the team's overall make up. With Sergei Fedorov and Brendan Shanahan scoring 30 goals again this season, you can see his point. Still, the one guy they can least afford to lose is defenseman Niklas Lidstrom. He makes this team go on so many levels that if he has quietly assumed pivotal player status on a team full of elite players.
In asking several coaches and scouts which team is the best they've seen this year, most replied Detroit. In other words, don't expect the Red Wings to relinquish their title easily.
Not Just Numbers: As star studded as their roster is, the Red Wings' strongest suit might be their balance. They had 13 players score in double digits, the most in the NHL.
Everything returned to normal in the second half for the Avalanche -- as it has over the past several seasons. This time, they changed coaches instead of waiting for the annual correction, and that may become more of an issue in the playoffs than it was during the regular season. The playoffs are more about matchups because it is series play, which will test rookie coach Tony Granato's bench acumen to the fullest.
Still, this deep, veteran laden Avs squad is capable of self-governing to some degree. That's not to say Granato hasn't done a fine job and had an impact. He adjusted the forecheck, instituted a more aggressive penalty-killing scheme and made the defensemen much more active on the offensive rush. Still, things came together when goaltender Patrick Roy shook off the slowest start in many seasons to return to top form after the All-Star Game. Then Peter Forsberg stepped up at center when Joe Sakic went out of the lineup shortly after the All-Star break and vaulted into the MVP race with his performance. He and linemates Milan Hejduk and Alex Tanguay were unstoppable at times, piling up points at a prodigious pace.
All of those elements combined to allow the Avalanche to reclaim their edge at home. Early in the season, they gave points away by failing to put opponents away in Denver. Well, they finished the season by losing but one of their last 17 games at the Pepsi Center. It was just barely enough to overtake the Canucks in the Northwest race, fulfilling their chase of history by winning their record ninth divisional title. With regular-season history on their side, this edition of the Avalanche looks to become a team of playoff destiny.
Not Just Numbers: On a team note, the nine consecutive divisional titles eclipse the eight in a row by the Montreal Canadiens from 1975-82. On an individual note, Forsberg becomes the first Swede to win the Art Ross trophy as the NHL's leading scorer.
The Vancouver Canucks followed up their strong second half of last season with a complete showing this year. Their consistency begs the question: Are the Canucks good enough to go all the way?
On the upside, the Canucks have an elite power play and were the best road show in the NHL, earning 54 points outside Vancouver. And their group of defensemen might be the most underrated in the league. The acquisitions of Sami Salo and Marek Malik gave them two dependable stay-at-home types that are good on the breakout. All of these attributes bode well for the Canucks in the playoffs.
Of course, you can't discuss Vancouver without mentioning the formidable top line of Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison and Todd Bertuzzi. Many are touting both Bertuzzi and Naslund as Hart Trophy candidates and with good reason. Each provides the perfect foil for the other -- Bertuzzi with his brute strength and Naslund with his silky-smooth style. At even strength and especially on the power play, the pair provides the potency to the Canucks' offense.
In goal, Dan Cloutier battled late-season injuries but otherwise continued his development as a true No. 1 netminder. As is the case with any young starter, his credibility hangs in the balance, inextricably linked to postseason success. And that's where the Canucks finds themselves as a team as well. To take the next step, they must overcome the dismay and disappointment of failing to hold onto the divisional lead on the last day of the season. It won't be easy, particularly with an offense that is so heavily reliant on one line and a goaltender who has but eight games of playoff experience.
Not Just Numbers: Despite Bertuzzi and Naslund getting most of the publicity, it is centerman Morrison who leads all Canucks forwards in time on ice per game with 21:11.
For the most part, the Blues' season has to be viewed a success. They overcame injuries throughout, as well as instability in goal. Throw in their penchant for mixing it up -- they were the most penalized team in the league -- and it's a wonder St. Louis made it through the grind of the regular season at all.
Unfortunately for Blues fans, those same obstacles linger as the playoffs begin. Keith Tkachuk remains banged up. Doug Weight continues to nurse an endless array of injures. And Chris Pronger is having a hard time establishing his game after missing all but five games. Meanwhile, goaltender Chris Osgood continued his inconsistent play once coming over from the Islanders at the trade deadline. And the penalties just keep on coming.
