Back in early October, I posted my thoughts in reference to Oz's TheHockeyInstigator column. http://thehockeyinstigator.blogspot.com/
These are my thoughts almost 4 months later...

Originally I had selected the San Jose Sharks as the "top team" in the West, followed by Detroit, Anaheim, Colorado, Vancouver, Calgary, Minnesota, and Dallas. As of today, this is how the Western Conference standings read: (points in parentheses)...

1. Detroit - (78)
2. San Jose - (63)
3. Minnesota - (59)
4. Dallas - (63)
5. Anaheim - (60)
6. Calgary - (58)
7. Vancouver - (57)
8. Phoenix, Colorado, Columbus - (56)

There is plenty of hockey left, 8-9 weeks and 30+ games to go, with rankings 2-8 to be decided in all probability, within the last two or three games of the season.

Detroit is now, and will be the team to beat come April, May, and possibly June. Everyone here has to admit, as of now they are playing at a superb level, higher than any other team in the NHL. Before I ask this question, I don't want anyone saying "they'll choke just like they always do" or anything like that... but, who would you say would stop the Wings from reaching yet another Cup final? With two tough goalies in Osgood and Hasek, a solid defense led by Lidstrom and Rafalski, a potent offensive attack of Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Cleary, Holmstrom, and Samuelsson... and let us not forget a deep and experienced bench, what more can you ask for?

Anaheim is now my number two pick in the West, and yes, for the obvious reason(s). Teemu Selanne has followed former Stanley Cup MVP Scott Niedermayer in returning to the team. Fear not, Detroit, Selanne won't score the game winning goal in this years Western Conference Finals, but he should definitely make it a more interesting one. Anaheim has seen solid goal tending in Giguere and Hiller as of late. Niedermayer has given Pronger and Schneider some much needed help on defense. Unfortunately, Getzlaf and Perry have been the only two consistent players offensively for the Ducks, who are eagerly awaiting Selanne's return.

Dallas has moved up to my number three pick in the West. Back in October, I was thinking that their defense would carry them into the playoffs. I still feel that way, but offense is what has them near the top of the Pacific Division at this time. Turco has played well 50 games into the season, but must turn it up a notch if Dallas is going to contend for the top spot in the Pacific. His GAA and Sv% is down from last year... 2.23 and .910 vs. 2.40 and .906 this season. Consistent numbers yes, but more is needed to secure a high seeding come playoff time. Smith's numbers are down from last year as well, but has still been steady in net when called upon. Riberio has been a pleasant surprise and is having his best year since his 2003-2004 season with Montreal. His SPct. for his career is 16.64 with this year at an astonishing 30.99. One must wonder why more shots are not created for him. Morrow is having a good year after a dismal 2006-2007, Modano, Hagman and Miettinen have been steady. Zubov is providing his usual scoring punch. Niskanen is having a solid rookie year. Daley and Robidas and the other Dallas D-men will have to step it up over the next few weeks.

San Jose is my number four pick, how disappointing. Each year, the same, high hopes. They quietly remain at or near the top of the Pacific Division each year, and are eliminated sooner than expected in the playoffs. If they're going to win the Cup as I predicted back in October, then they're going to have to play more, and obviously win more, while on those playoff road trips. Nabokov is having a great year, and when it's over, will have had his best in his 8-year career. Not many goalies have been as steady and dependable as he this season. Hope he can last up to and into the playoffs. Who is his back-up, anyway? Playing in 48 of 51 games this year... is asking too much. Thornton is going to have a hard time cracking 100 points this season as he's done in his previous two seasons with the Sharks. If you find Nabokov's back-up, see if you can't find Cheechoo also. Yes, he's missed a few games due to minor injuries, but come on... 16 points this season, a far cry from last year, and no where near where people thought he would be this year... his 2005-2006 season when he scored 56 goals and had 37 assists. Michalek, Marleau, Rivet and Bernier cannot make up for Thornton's and Cheechoo's lack of production. Setoguchi one day maybe. Watch for this kid in the years to come. Defense has been a pleasant surprise for the Sharks this year, with the fewest goals allowed in the Western Conference behind Detroit to date.

Number five is Vancouver. Again, everyone is saying... "Luongo is going to have to carry the Canucks into the playoffs." Usually they're right. Is that true this year, probably? Luongo will need to forget about January, and play like he was in December and before. He said that himself, as well. The Sedins's are having a fine year with Naslund and Pyatt contributing offensively, but if Luongo is having a sub-par game, that isn't quite enough. Vancouver is a sound and defensive minded team. Ohlund has been hurt and in and out of the lineup. Now Mitchell is out with a back injury. Miller, Krajicek and Weaver will be called upon to get the job done until his recovery.

Minnesota at number six has seen its ups-and-downs this season. They have dealt with numerous injuries, yet still held their own while key players recovered. You can generally tell within the first 8-10 minutes of each game which team has shown up to play. At times the Wild seem lethargic and just go through the motions. At other times, it's the energized and aggressive team that presses their opponent into a submissive victory. Minnesota is atop the Northwest Division by a point over Calgary, 2 points over Vancouver, and 3 points over Colorado. Again, the Wild are healthy, with the exception of Boogaard, Parrish, and Hill... but no offense to these guys, it's good to see Demitra and Koivu back on the ice. BTW Harding, snap out of it! The Wild will need you come crunch time.

Calgary is at number 7, this week anyway. Where can we find Kiprusoff the rest he needs? Goalie Curtis Joseph signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract to give relief to goalie Miikka Kiprusoff, who has started 47 of 48 games. I'm supplying Tylenol to the fans of Calgary to give them relief when Cujo shows them exactly what he did for Phoenix. Good luck in getting that much needed win to tie you for 4th all time with 447 career victories, Cujo. (I'm sorry, I'm just not a fan of his.) The Flames looked great in October with their 6-3-3 record and potent offense. November was a disaster as their defense took a hiatus. December's offense led them to a 9-1-4 record. Iginla leads the team offensively. Huselius, after a lousy offensive stretch, came to life in December and will need to continue to produce, since Langkow has cooled somewhat. The defense has to be more consistent and should be now that the three new defense men... Aucoin, Eriksson and Sarich have had a chance to "learn the system" in the first half of the season. The conference is a log-jam and any slump could prove deadly to playoff aspirations.

Who will be the eighth and final team to make the playoffs in the West?

Colorado, Phoenix, or Columbus?

Nashville or St. Louis?

Can Chicago or Edmonton make a run for it?

Only the L.A. Kings are 100% of out the running. They are looking forward to adding John Tavares to its roster of growing young talent and will be a force to be reckoned with in 2010.

Tomorrow...

The Eastern Conference:

Ottawa ,Montreal, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Carolina, New York Rangers, Boston