We are coming up to the midseason which there will be not having the usual All-star break instead it will be olympiac break. There are some suprising teams in both the East and the West fighting for play spots this season. In the west is where the big suprises are.
1. Chicago Blackhawks - Not really a surprise here since how the pushed the Red Wings in the playoffs last year in the playoffs they had a lot to look forward to this season and seem to be living up to it so far.
2. San Jose Sharks - Doing the same thing they have been doing for past few seasons being in constant lead for Western domance in the regular season. Let's see if they can finally get over big playoff failures this season.
3. Colorado Avalanche - After how they finished last year no one expected them to turn around this quickly but Rookie Matt Duschene is really helping them out while fighting for rookie of the year.
4. Nasville Predators - Have been on the verge of being a decent team a lot in the past few years and it seems they finally have a hold on what they want to be as a team.
5. Pheonix Coyotes - No one expected this from the Coyotes they haven't done anything the whole time they been in the league but they are finally looking to make something of their franchise, which is good since there is so much uncertainity about the future of this team.
6. Vancouver Canucks - This is a team that started out the season horrible and since then have really got back into the game as a team overall and playing amazing hockey recently.
7. Calgary Flames - Constantly good play from all over this team there blueline has really got some good help from having Bouwmeester
8. Los Angeles Kings - Another surprising team that poped up fromt he bottom of the West to try and get in the playoffs for the first time in years
9. Detroit Redwings - Jimmy Howard is playing really good for them this year but they just can't seem to get it done like they where able to do in the past. It would be a big surprise if this team didn't make the playoffs but don't be too taken back by it.
10. Dallas Stars - Still reling on Mike Modano why to much he is still a good player but he is the same player he used to be and he can't strap this team on his back like he used to and Marty Turco hasn't been the same he used to be recently.
11. Anaheim Ducks - Haven't been the same team the used to be and with recent injuries they are going to have a hard time keeping pace in the west.
12. Minnesota Wild - They have kind of changed there focus to be a little more offensively minded then just the strong defense they used to play and Backstrom is still playing great in net for them, but they can't seem to get it done.
13. St. Louis Blues - Have a lot of good young talent that will make them a good team in the coming seasons and with some of the age of the other teams in the west might allow them to make a late push into playoff position late season.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets - After making there first playoff apearance last season they can't seem to be able to put that same effort into the game this season. Don't be surprised if Hitchcock doesn't make it to the end of season in Columbus.
15. Edmonton Oilers - They had a good little stretch going last month but just can't seem to keep anything going they are very inconsistent
By: Shane Murray
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