It took the Ducks going 7-7 in their last 14 for the second place Sharks to have a chance.  The Sharks and Oilers had their own losing streaks bringing them back to the pack, as well.  The huge gap has closed, making this a tighter race than GM Devon would like.  Right now, it looks like 2 team race for the top seed between the Ducks and Sharks, while Flames, Oilers, and Knights round out the rest of the playoff teams.  The final playoff spot in the West wll be a close!  Here is how each team is doing.

1. Anaheim Ducks (36-11-1, 73pts)

The Ducks were on a tear winning 29 of the first 33 games.  I don't care what the competition is, that's impressive!  After that, they came back down to earth going .500 in the next 14 games.  This team is too good to keep going .500 the rest of the way and will get back on track at any moment.  Ducks will end up winning the division, but by how much, is the real question.  He's 1st GA and 6th GF, so he has the recipe to take the President's Trophy.  Let's see how this plays out.

2. San Jose Sharks (31-11-3, 65pts)

Does this team really have a shot?!  Not at all.  His team is 1st GF, but a putrid 15th GA.  That basically means that he is LAST when it comes to the teams trying to win the cup, LAST!  In the past 20 games, GM Purbsy has won a sweet 16 games...but with only 3 quality wins.  No matter how much the GM yaps his big mouth about the wins, it's against the tankers.  The Sharks just added more goal scoring, trading 2025 2nd round pick and Balcers...exactly what they needed, smh.  This is the year for the Sharks to do something, but, as usual, the GM doesn't know what's going on and will lose this season AND has no future.  The team's management has been abysmal and can't wait to see how bad it will get in the years to come. He's built his future to rely on free agency, but we all know how that will go.  Let's see if this magician will dig himself out of this hole.  I will say, its pretty damn entertaining to watch him go down in flames.

3. Vegas Golden Knights (31-13-2, 64pts)

Knights have gone from 5th to 3rd passing the Flames and Oilers.  That's pretty impressive and they have beaten some good competition on their way up.  This team is surprsingly 3rd GF, but a terrible 13th GA.  I can't see them doing anything inthe playoffs with all the goals against, but it's impressive, none the less.  I could see the team selling at the deadline, seeing that they cannot win the cup.  Don't be surprised if they are the team that drops out of the playoffs.

4. Calgary Flames (30-14-3, 63pts)

Flames remain in 4th place despite passing the Oilers.  This team is surprisingly 10th GF and 10th GA with that roster.  Preseason predictions had this team near the top.  This team is a headscratcher for this writer.  They have a well balanced team and a stud goaltender.  I will continue to say that this team will be near the top of the division and make a run in the playoffs by the end of all this.  Let's see if GM Kev can make the necessary adjustments to make that happen.

5. Edmonton Oilers (28-17-1, 57pts)

What the hell happened here?!  This was another team that I had high on the preseason list.  I can't see this team not making the playoffs, but they are horrific 20th GF, but a nice 5th GA.  After taking a closer look, it's not a surprise with the lack of scoreres on the team.  GM Leon has also made the decision to trade one it's best scorers, in Marchessault, for a pick 10 years down the line.  This seems like it's a white flag being waived and he's giving up this season.  If he isn't, I am not sure why he would trade him for such little in return.  Let's see how things pan out before the trade deadline, where we will see if Leon is going to sell or go for it.

6. Los Angeles Kings (21-21-4, 46pts)

This first year GM is learning trial by fire.  As we always say, every new GM needs to make a decision to do a full tank or go for it.  Being .500 is a recipe for disaster.  This league really isn't for the indecisive.  Ex-GM Rumpy has his set up nicely for the future, but with the way the team is playing, he needs to do a full tank and trade away Malkin.  I can see that GM New Tyler hasn't been managing his team, so let's see if he does anything to improve his situation.  Someone should talk to this guy so he can show Rumpy how to make a team good.

7. Vancouver Canucks (15-27-6, 36pts)

GM Rob is definately tanking, as he should.  He does have some very nice pieces to trade, so let's see what he does at the deadline.  I could see him getting a lot of assets to help with his rebuild.  He's winning too much and has passed the Yotes, so let's see if he sells sooner rather than later.  

8. Arizona Coyotes (11-29-5, 27pts)

GM Joel is doing a good job of tanking, but still years away from being relevant.  No real assets to trade to the contenders.  Nothing to see here until draft time.