Vote: Is the Eastern or Western Conference Stronger in the NHL?

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Feb 26, 2011

Vote: Is the Eastern or Western Conference Stronger in the NHL? Last season, most experts would have agreed that the Eastern Conference was the stronger half of the NHL, but the Stanley Cup ultimately headed West to Chicago. This time around, things look a little more even.

The biggest difference between the two campaigns is that this time around, Washington hasn't separated from the pack as the league's best team, but is instead middling in the fifth spot in the East. Pittsburgh also may not be as dangerous as they were last year, as Evgeni Malkin is out for the season, and Sidney Crosby's future isn't clear either. Instead, the Flyers have emerged as best in the East. Boston is close behind and Tampa Bay, with rising star Steven Stamkos, coming out of nowhere to threaten for the top seed as well.

None of those teams, however, are playing as well as Vancouver. With the Sedin brothers playing their best hockey, the Canucks have a league leading 87 points coupled with the top goal differential (plus-60) in the league. As usual, Detroit and San Jose are also near the top of the standings, the Sharks have perhaps been the league's best team after an uncharacteristically slow start. Defending champs Chicago, however, will need to follow suit if they even want a chance to defend the title, as they currently are languishing in a tie for eighth.

In terms of star power, the East features Crosby, Stamkos and Alex Ovechkin — perhaps the three biggest names in hockey — and Tim Thomas, the league's top netminder, is in the conference as well, but the conference may not have as many quality teams. Columbus, the West's 12th-place team, would be a playoff team in the East.

Is the Eastern or Western Conference stronger in the NHL?survey software

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