Five teams to like in the Western Conference

The Western Conference playoff field is essentially set, but there will be some jockeying for position between now and the end of the season.

1. ANAHEIM. If D Chris Pronger returns to health and their young forwards score, the Ducks have enough to build on last season's run to the Western Conference finals. Goalie J.S. Giguere has found his game, and the Ducks are nearly unbeatable at home.

2. NASHVILLE. In a dogfight with Detroit for the Central Division lead and the top spot in the Conference (with Anaheim right on both of their heels, the Predators will discover C Peter Forsberg's real value in the playoffs. This team skates very well and has two excellent goaltenders.

3. VANCOUVER. The Canucks added a top-six forward (Bryan Smolinski) and a top-four defenseman (Brent Sopel) at the trade deadline without surrendering any player of significance off their roster. Goalie Roberto Luongo has been magnificent, as has the team's underrated defense.

4. SAN JOSE. A puzzling team because they have the firepower, defense and goaltending to have a better record than they do. G Evgeni Nabokov is establishing himself as the team's go-to man in net, and the Sharks have responded. The problem San Jose faces is if it plays much better it gets the fifth seed and has to face either Detroit or Nashville in the first round. If the Sharks stay in sixth, it gets either Vancouver or Minnesota, which is arguably an easier draw.

5. DETROIT. Is this the year the Red Wings make it out of the first round? Seems strange to write that about Hockeytown's inhabitants, but the Wings have struggled in the postseason over the past five years. If Dominik Hasek stays healthy and trade-acquisition Todd Bertuzzi can give them anything, this version of the Wings is built a bit more for the playoffs than recent past editions.

The temptation was to include Dallas in here, but until goalie Marty Turco wins a postseason series, it's tough to see the Stars shinining beyond April.