MARCH 15, 2010 -- At a glance, the battle for the Western Conference championship looks like a simple two-horse race between the high-powered San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks. When one moves in for a closer look however, things become a bit cloudier.

THE CONTENDERS:

SHARKS: 68GP: 43-15-10 = 96 PTS

3 of top 11 NHL scorers hail from Silicon Valley: Thornton (80pts), Marleau & Heatley (72 each)

The already-potent Sharks acquired Dany Heatley in the offseason and are again

cruising toward the best record in the Conference, but the lingering haunting memories of playoff failures past are still keeping GM Doug Wilson awake at night. It also cannot be comforting to think about how badly goalie Evgeni Nabokov choked in the 2010 Olympics. In recent years, the Sharks have done everything but make it to a Cup final, to the degree that regular season analysis of this particular team is virtually pointless.

CHICAGO: 68GP: 44-19-5 = 93 PTS

Duncan Keith: 2^nd in d-man scoring with 13-47-60 (3^rd in d-man shots with 183) / Pat Kane 8^th in NHL: 68GP: 26-51-77PTS 

The Blackhawks also have plenty of offense, but are again dealing with fading goalie Cristobal Huet, who has already begun another of his all-too-familiar late season disappearing acts. Last year, Nikolai Khabibulin bailed them out down the stretch, and the result was a trip to the Conference final. Antii Niemi will likely have to do the same this year.  If not, even the addition of Marian Hossa will not provide enough postseason offense to offset the unsteadiness of Huet. In short, barring a miracle, Chicago will not be making a return trip to the Conference final. Both the Hawks and Sharks have been dazzling for most of the season, but both also have undeniable vulnerabilities.

THE HOPEFULS:

VANCOUVER: 69GP: 43-23-3 = 89 PTS

Alex Burrows, 31 goals; Mikael Samuelsson, 30; Henrik Sedin, 28 / Chris Ehrhoff, tied for 2^nd amongst d-men with 13 goals

The Vancouver Canucks may finally be ready to make their first Stanley Cup final since their epic seven-game series with the New York Rangers in 1994. Now near the top of the Conference in goal scoring, Vancouver also has the steadiest netminder of the top three teams, in the form of Roberto Luongo. Roberto most recently backstopped Team Canada to Olympic gold. Last year, the Canucks were overwhelmed by Chicago in the Conference semifinal. This year, they have much more offense to go along with solid defense and will be ready this year should they meet Chicago again and get a shot at redemption.

The three most intriguing playoff teams should be Phoenix, Los Angeles and Colorado, all of whom missed the playoffs last year but have been solidly in playoff contention all season.

PHOENIX: 69GP: 42-22-5 = 89 PTS

Tied for best team goals against with NJD: 2.39 / Team’s defense has scored 37 goals / Ilya Bryzgalov: 2.27GAA .921SV%

The Phoenix Coyotes have been the laughing stock of the NHL for years. Phoenix has historically suffered from poor attendance year after year. The team has lost untold millions of dollars every year, had an owner who filed bankruptcy and spent most of the past offseason deflecting rumors of being sold and moved back to Canada. Their main draw in fact was coach Wayne Gretzky, who inexplicably labored behind the bench for years instead of enjoying his retirement. Former Dallas Stars coach Dave Tippett replaced Gretz behind the bench this year, and the rest is history. Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov, waived by the Anaheim Ducks in November 2007, has finally come into his own and hockey in the desert has been resurrected.  

LOS ANGELES: 68GP: 40-23-5 = 85 PTS

Anze Kopitar 32 goals / Drew Doughty 13-39-52PTS

Dean Lombardi became the Kings GM in 2006 and has performed nothing short of a miracle in the eyes the fans in Tinseltown. The Kings finally have a core group of young players to carry the team for some years to come. Like the Coyotes, the Kings have benefited from solid goaltending all year long.  Their  sturdy young goalie Jonathan Quick has started nearly every game this season, and every day is looking more and more like his idol Mike Richter. Further evidence of the Kings' overall toughness is the fact that they are currently tied with San Jose for best road record in the league (both clubs have 44 points away from home).

COLORADO: 68: 39-23-6 = 84 PTS

Chris Stewart 26 goals / Craig Anderson: 2.45GAA; .924SV%

The Colorado Avalanche have virtually the same template as the Kings, and the two teams have almost identical stats in goals scored and goals allowed for the season (Kings: 206 for, 181 against, Avs: 204, 179). Not expected to do much of anything this season, the Avs find themselves in a position to steal the Northwest division crown from Vancouver, trailing the Canucks by five standings points (as of Monday, March 15). Goalie Craig Anderson has stood tall between the pipes all season long. Colorado is on the verge of becoming a major player.

NASHVILLE: 69GP: 38-26-5 = 81 PTS

Shea Weber 13 goals / Colin Wilson to top line: 5-3-8pts since callup 11 games ago / Patric Hornqvist 26 goals

The Nashville Predators have played themselves into a position of controlling their own fate. Last year, the Preds missed the playoffs by only 3 points, thanks largely to the hot finish of the Ducks. Head coach Barry Trotz should be commended for keeping his "Little Engine That Could" competitive season after season with management running one of the more fiscally responsible teams in the league. Trotz has always managed to get a maximum effort from a group of hard working players. If the New York Rangers had half the work ethic of Nashville, they would be amongst the favorites in the Eastern Conference. Trotz' bunch would be a real long shot to make the Conference final but still cannot be taken lightly and are capable of beating any team on any given night.

DETROIT: 68GP: 33-23-12 = 78 PTS

Rookie Jimmy Howard: 2.35GAA; .924SV% / Datsyuk 21 goals

Last but certainly not least, the defending Western Conference Champion Detroit Red Wings. Detroit has been ravaged by injuries for most of the season, but the team is finally healthy again and at just the right time. Staying with the theme of goaltending, it appears as though the torch has been passed from Chris Osgood to Jimmie Howard. Chris Osgood now seems in the twilight of his most unique career. Ozzie has always seemed rather indifferent about the regular season, but has consistently been able to morph into a superhuman puckstopping machine in the playoffs. Should Howard falter at some point down the stretch, Detroit should be confident that Ozzie can once again lead the Wings on their quest for the most important 16 wins of the year.

ON THE OUTS:

Barring a recovery of monumental proportions, the Anaheim Ducks will be watching the playoffs from the comfort of their own respective living rooms. The 2007 Stanley Cup Champs have been in a wavering but steady decline since hoisting the hardware.  In 2008, they went out in the first round, courtesy of the Dallas Stars. Last year they circled the wagons and went 7-2-1 in their last 10 games of the season to capture the eighth and final playoff spot, then went on to eliminate the Sharks in six games before bowing out to Detroit in a tough seven-game Conference semifinal. No such luck this year. Anaheim followed up the Olympic break with a five-game losing streak to all but seal their fate despite beating San Jose Sunday night (too little, too late, it seems).

The Columbus Blue Jackets and St Louis Blues were the surprise guests last year, but the clock appears to have struck midnight on both their Cinderella stories. Columbus goalie Steve Mason was Rookie of the year last season, but could not escape the sophomore jinx, and has struggled all season. The St Louis Blues sported the best second half record in the league last year, but never found a rhythm this season, and are currently fighting to keep slim playoff hopes alive.

It has been said that offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.  Being that the two most potent offensive teams in the west also have the biggest question marks between the pipes, it will be most interesting to see how the West is finally won. It is time to separate the men from the boys.

Contact Charles: Charles@officialinsidesports.com

2010 Western Hockey Network