Nhl which conference is better

These two teams give the East a big question mark, as the order of teams in the standings isn't exactly what one normally would expect. Four of the top-eight teams normally aren't there. So, did the East get weaker?

Are Toronto and Ottawa overachieving or other teams underachieving? Or, perhaps, is this the new-look East that we should get used to? Sidney Crosby is still recovering from his concussion, and although Alex Ovechkin has seen a lot of ice, he has been absolutely terrible and looked out of place. Now, there are still plenty of other big names in the East that are doing very well for themselves—Phil Kessel, Brad Richards, Jason Spezza, Niklas Backstrom and others—but something seems a bit off in the East this year.

The West's stars, on the other hand, like Patrick Kane, Anze Kopitar and the Sedin twins are doing just as one would expect. Admittedly, this isn't a huge point, but it's still something worth noting when the best aren't being the best.

Currently they sit in 12th and 10th place, respectively. These two teams—and possibly the Anaheim Ducks—can and will still turn it on. Perhaps the East has teams who still need to turn it on but the only definite team that belongs higher in the standings than currently sits is Boston. How it ended: The Blackhawks were within three points of fourth place in the Central on April 22 but went in their next six games and never got closer than eight points out the rest of the season.

In Seth Jones, the Blackhawks get a year-old No. Why they could get in: A potential new top pair of Seth Jones and Jake McCabe , who agreed to a four-year contract July 28, will help cut down on the Centers Jonathan Toews chronic immune response syndrome and Kirby Dach wrist should be healthy, and center Tyler Johnson was added in a trade with the Lightning on July The improvement in their own end, combined with a solid offensive attack, should add up to the Blackhawks being in the hunt for a top-three spot in the Central this season.

Video: Chicago Blackhawks Season Preview. Last season: , 60 points, four points out of fourth place in Discover Central Division. How it ended: The Stars got within two points of a playoff spot April 26 but went to finish the season. Biggest offseason change: Ryan Suter signed a four-year contract July 28 and will strengthen a top-four defensemen group that includes John Klingberg , Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell.

Dallas also added to its goaltending depth by signing Braden Holtby to a one-year contract July Holtby was with a 3. Why they could get in: The Stars nearly made the playoffs last season despite playing most of it without Bishop and top-line center Tyler Seguin , who returned for three games in May after recovering from offseason hip surgery.

They're deeper at defenseman with Suter and top prospect Thomas Harley , the No. And with a healthy Seguin, there should be enough offense to compete for a top-three spot in the Central or a wild card this season.

Video: Dallas Stars Season Preview. How it ended: The Kings went through their first 18 games and were tied for third in the West on Feb. They went in their next 19 games to fall nine points out of a playoff spot. Biggest offseason change: Los Angeles got more skilled at forward with the additions of Phillip Danault and Viktor Arvidsson.

The greater number of games won, excluding games won by Shootout. This figure is reflected in the ROW column. The greater number of games won by the Club in any manner i. This figure is reflected in the W column. The greater number of points earned in games against each other among two or more tied clubs. For the purpose of determining standing for two or more Clubs that have not played an even number of games with one or more of the other tied Clubs, the first game played in the city that has the extra game the "odd game" shall not be included.

When more than two Clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other and not including any "odd games" shall be used to determine standing. The greater differential between goals for and against including goals scored in Overtime or awarded for prevailing in Shootouts for the entire regular season. This figure is reflected in the DIFF column. The Washington Capitals have the most points in the entire league and despite what people may say about their playoff performances, they are primed to make a run at a cup.

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