5 Things We've Learned About the Western Conference in 40 Games

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Oct 16, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Officials separate St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) and Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) fight in the second period of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

It’s fierce out there in the Western Conference.

The Los Angeles Kings have their work cut out for them.

Most teams in the NHL are reaching the 40 game mark. Only five teams in the Western Conference have not yet played 40 games. We’re almost halfway through the season.

As usual skill, scoring, and physical play have dominated the Western Conference.

The Kings are currently 19-12-9, giving the team 47 points and a 4th place ranking in the Pacific Division. L.A. is tied with the Winnipeg Jets for 7th place in the West.

Here’s five important things we’ve learned about the Kings and their Western Conference opponents in the first 40 games.

Jan 6, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators players celebrate after a win against the Carolina Hurricanes at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Nashville is for Real.

If the Kings most recent game wasn’t an indication, perhaps the rest of their stats will prove convincing.

Nashville is 26-9-4 for 56 points. The Predators haven’t played 40 games yet, but they haven’t lost 10 games yet either. The Predators have only lost a combined 13 games.

Nashville’s worst loss came at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who shut the Predators out 3-0. Nashville’s had four losses by two goals. Every other loss has been a one goal game.

At this point in the season the Predators are at the front of the line at the Hardware Store.

Perhaps the best rookie in the NHL wears the Predator sweater: Filip Forsberg. Forsberg leads the Predators in goals, points, and plus/minus. In 39 games Forsberg has 14 goals, 38 points, and a +23 rating. That includes 3 power-play goals and 4 Game Winning Goals.

Dec 2, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg (9) skates with puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Nashville Predators 2-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Forsberg leads all rookies in the NHL in the same categories: goals, points, and plus/minus. The next closest player in points, the Calgary Flames Johnny Gaudreau, has one less goal, and 7 fewer points.

Shea Weber has been mentioned as a front-runner for the Norris Trophy. Weber has been nominated to the final three, three times. Despite playing the best season of his career last year, the Norris Trophy remains elusive. This year might be the year.

Weber has 8 goals, 26 points and a +13 rating in 39 games. Weber currently ranks 8th in points, and 5th in plus/minus in the NHL.

Goaltender Pekka Rinne has not only been mentioned for the Vezina Trophy, but his name has been thrown around as a possible Hart candidate.

Rinne returned this season after missing most of last year with a hip injury. Rinne’s injury limited him to 24 games last season.

Rinne’s started 34 games this season, has 26 wins, a 2.00 goals against average (GAA), and a .929 save percentage (SV%). Rinne’s 1st in wins, 3rd in GAA, and 4th in SV% in the NHL.

At 40 games this isn’t a fluke. It’s not a hot streak. It’s a shot across the bow of the West. Be wary of the Nashville Predators.

December 27, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Trevor Lewis (22) moves the puck ahead of San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Playoff Bound? It’s A Race to the Finish

There’s a clear divide between the upper and lower echelon in the Western Conference.

For those teams looking to the playoffs it’s going to come down to the wire.

For the teams looking forward to the draft, it might be a race as well. A turtle race.

The 5th place team is 5-points back from 4th place in the Central Division. For the Central the top four teams are pushing to separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

In the Pacific 4-points are the difference between 2nd place and 5th place. Every game influences fluctuations within the division.

For teams in the Pacific, no one is safe. Playoff bound teams will certainly be in a race to the finish.

Nov 26, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle (3) reacts after a whistle during the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at Xcel Energy Center. The Kings win 4-0 over the Wild. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Last Year Means Nothing

This goes for the Kings as well as a few other teams.

L.A.’s championship rings don’t mean anything in the new year. The Kings have battled ups and downs, and are obviously not on top.

The last few seasons the Kings have had a tendency to coast through the regular season, fighting at the end then carrying that momentum into playoffs. In the first 40 games that’s been the same story, but there are no guarantee’s in a new season.

The Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche are not what they were 10 months ago.

Dec 30, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Jannik Hansen (36) scored a goal during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

The three teams in the Central Division are ranked 5th, 6th, and 7th respectively. The Stars and Wild are lingering just above .500, while the Avalanche are .500 exactly.

All three teams made the playoffs last year. This season is only half-way through, so there’s still time. But it’s going to be a stretch for one of the three teams to make the playoffs. The other two will be left out in the cold.

The Vancouver Canucks are having the opposite experience. Vancouver had an abysmal season last year. The Canucks finished 36-35-11 with 83 points in the 2013-2014 season. That was 5th place in the Pacific Division. Just out of the playoffs.

In the offseason the Canucks traded one of their star centers, Ryan Kesler, to the Anaheim Ducks; a rival Pacific Division competitor. Vancouver also fired head coach John Tortorella and General Manager Mike Gillis. Both Tortorella and Gillis had been signed to lengthy contracts when their services were terminated.

It’s been a quick turnaround.

Vancouver has not just stabilized their team and management. They’ve resurrected hopes of a Stanley Cup Championship with the Sedin twins.

The Canucks are currently in 2nd place in the Pacific Division, 5th in the West. Vancouver’s record is 23-12-3 for 49 points. Quite an impressive recovery.

Vancouver’s new GM Jim Benning, and head coach Willie Desjardins will probably be up for a few awards. Jack Adams anyone?

It’s a new season. Last year means nothing.

Unless you’re the Edmonton Oilers.

Jun 1, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) makes a save in front of defenseman Duncan Keith (2) and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) during the second period in game one of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

Defense is Hockey’s Life-Blood

It may not be unique to this season, but the performance of teams in the Western Conference this year is a quintessential example.

Dec 29, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) controls the puck against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Defensemen are the life-blood of hockey. Defensemen hold the puck in the opponent’s zone, and move the puck up out of their team’s zone.

The Kings have struggle this season. Mostly due to injuries and absences on the blue line. The Kings haven’t been able to suit up a consistent squad of six defensemen they’re confident in. It makes it difficult for Kings players to gel and create chemistry, to get used to how one another plays, and to become comfortable with one another.

Teams that are having success in the West have solid defensive-core lineups: Nashville, Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, and the Anaheim Ducks.

Struggling teams have the weakest defensive personnel. Teams missing big, strong, skilled, consistent defensemen are: the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Arizona Coyotes, and the Edmonton Oilers.

Even in this era of the NHL: with new rules geared to help the skilled players showcase their talents and keep the game wide open, a league loaded with superstars, and an NHL front office that is so scoring nuts they’re willing to re-write the rules and change the game; defense is King.

Great defense makes the ‘Wow!’ moments worth watching. Viewers get used to watching no one get past these defensive greats. Just when we start to think to ourselves, “You’d have to do some pretty amazing stuff to get past these guys.” Someone on the ice pulls an amazing move.

Great defense pushes offense; in every way. A good defense makes everyone have to play better. It makes the game better. Need more evidence? Watch the playoffs.

Jun 1, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) shakes hands with Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) after game seven of the Western Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Central Division Transcends the Pacific?

It’s still debatable, but it looks like there’s a new top division in the NHL.

With the way things have unfolded, it looks like the Central Division might overtake the Pacific Division for the toughest division in hockey.