For years, every time playoff time comes around in hockey, all the focus goes onto the big bad west.
With recent powerhouse teams like Chicago, Los Angeles, Anaheim, St. Louis, Minnesota, San Jose and even Vancouver not long ago, the Western playoffs were like passing through the American Gladiators' Gauntlet. Now, some of those teams are starting to look weaker and although teams like Calgary and Edmonton have started to make some noise, the Eastern teams are looking stronger overall.
With teams like Washington, Pittsburgh, Montreal and Boston, the East has to be the favourite to bring home this year’s cup.
Here are four stats that explain why:
Every Eastern Conference Team has a point-per-game
Not only does this show how the East is starting to overtake the West, but it also shows what a mess the NHL point system has become. Not only do teams have massive games played differential, but the extra point for OT games really makes it hard for much movement to happen in the standings.
Better Record
The Eastern Conference has a better record overall against the Western Conference. The East also only has two teams with losing records against the West (Tampa Bay and Boston), and the West has seven teams with a losing record against the East (Dallas, Winnipeg, Colorado, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Arizona).
Here are the full stats of each conference:
East vs. West: 138-86-35 – 60.0% PTS
West vs. East: 121-112-26 - .51.7% PTS
Advanced Stats
The Eastern Conference has more teams in the top 5 and top 15 of goal differential (4/5, 8/15) score-adjusted CF% (3/5, 9/15) and xGF% (3/5, 8/15).
Top Team
The Washington Capitals have the most points in the entire league and despite what people may say about their playoff performances, they are primed to make a run at a cup. They are on pace to finish with the President’s Trophy once again, and with no clear weakness on their team, it’s easy to see why.
