The East is the better conference by far. Look at last years playoff's, Boston went to game 7 OT against the Habs (a team that just got in the playoffs) and had to fight tooth and nail just to get out the 1st round.

In conference finals they were again pushed to the limit against Tampa having to play 7 hard fought games to get into the finals.

In the finals? That was the easiest series Boston had to play other than the Philly series they played in the 2nd round. After losing the 1st 2 games in BC Boston comes back and easily wins 4 of 5 from Vancouver. The final 5 games of that series were so easy for Boston it showed just how much better the East is when compared with the West.

East is better than West and it's not even close.
- Stalemate

Or you could argue that Boston had a much easier trip to the finals... less games... softer opponents... less grueling travel.

Every single playoff team in the west has a winning record against the east... some DOMINATING records... 11-2-2 ... 13-2-1... 11-4-2... the west is so much stronger than the east. Thats usually why when the western team finally gets to the final they went thru much tougher competition.

Look at the amount of injuries the western teams have come out of the playoffs with once the playoffs is over? Its crazy in comparison.
See what I did there?

I'm not going to do the research, because it is no doubt a pain to pick out those matchups.....

But part of the issue is how the data is presented here, and perception you create (either intentionally, or unintentionally). Take this for example:

"#12 Toronto, a team who didn't make the playoffs in either year, also has a winning record 8-6-3."

Well, if Toronto lost 6, and only got OT wins in 3, that means the West has a record of at least 9 wins (6+3), and 8 losses. (How many of those 8 losses are OTL is hidden in the data).

So the West has a winning record too!! Hallelujah, it's a miracle!!

The total points gained by each conference probably tells the right story....but I don't like the way the data is presented in the blog. Too much room for improper interpretation.

The point of the blog was about the conference with the better teams on the bubble
- Eklund

Ek, all your calculations are biased and do not include intangible data, such as back end of a back-to-back game, injuries at the point of season, etc. I know taht all of that evens out over teh course of the season, this is why you should look at total points collected.

In 510 combined games WC teams (7-13) collected combined 554 points and EC teams collected combined 534 points in 509 games.

I a 7-game series, I would take LA or Phx against any of the 7-13 EC teams.

My cars running right now.... and I'm not going out for another hour
- kneughter

The Kings can't score to save their lives and when they do score they end up blowing leads. And the Sharks don't understand the concept of team defense and have far less depth than they've had in years past.
- GOODPLAYA20

Is that why they are 7-2 in the last 9?

Ek, all your calculations are biased and do not include intangible data, such as back end of a back-to-back game, injuries at the point of season, etc. I know taht all of that evens out over teh course of the season, this is why you should look at total points collected.

In 510 combined games WC teams (7-13) collected combined 554 points and EC teams collected combined 534 points in 509 games.

I a 7-game series, I would take LA or Phx against any of the 7-13 EC teams.
- Nerko77

this is a hockey blog not quantum physics...

Ek, simpler question.... of those teams in (today), who on the bubble in either conference don't you want to play in the playoffs...

Or you could argue that Boston had a much easier trip to the finals... less games... softer opponents... less grueling travel.

See what I did there?
- kneughter

Oh please, the Canucks had a cake walk to the finals. I guess that Nashville series may have been tough but I couldn't stay awake watching those games, they kept putting me to sleep.

Last years best in the East female doged slapped the hell out of the best in the West. If anything Vancouver should have had the advantage as they had much more experience playing with time zone travel.

They folded like a house of cards.

Or you could argue that Boston had a much easier trip to the finals... less games... softer opponents... less grueling travel.

Every single playoff team in the west has a winning record against the east... some DOMINATING records... 11-2-2 ... 13-2-1... 11-4-2... the west is so much stronger than the east. Thats usually why when the western team finally gets to the final they went thru much tougher competition.

Look at the amount of injuries the western teams have come out of the playoffs with once the playoffs is over? Its crazy in comparison.
See what I did there?
- kneughter

dude the Bruins had two seven game series before the final, give your head a shake

- Rayven

I'm I the only one who believes that NYR... Boston and Pitts are the only real "scary good" teams in the East?

Those are the only teams that would concern me IF the canucks made it to the finals again.

I cant be the only one....

Or you could argue that Boston had a much easier trip to the finals... less games... softer opponents... less grueling travel.

See what I did there?
- kneughter

3 series had gone to a game 7.... not so sure anything there was easy. Neither was the finals. While there is a lot to hate about both teams, VAN went all the way to game 7 in the finals and should get some respect for that fact.

Both conferences play differently. The west has a lot more higher powered finesse teams while the East will grind you down with tougher defense and goal tending. Tough to say who is really better...IMO it depends on which type of Hockey you enjoy.

All I know is that Buffalo beat up the west this year, and they are an East bubble team

I'm willing to bet this is the only one you've ever seen me use
- Rayven

I have vague memories from another time and place...

I'm I the only one who believes that NYR... Boston and Pitts are the only real "scary good" teams in the East?

Those are the only teams that would concern me IF the canucks made it to the finals again.

I cant be the only one....
- kneughter

Thats funny cause i think they're the only scary good teams in the NHL, period.

So....none of you are at all surprised by these numbers?
- Eklund

Yawn. What numbers?

I have vague memories from another time and place...
- Flyfreaky

in a universe far far away ?

this is a hockey blog not quantum physics...

Ek, simpler question.... of those teams in (today), who on the bubble in either conference don't you want to play in the playoffs...
- geta02it

Good question, but depends who's perspective you are looking from..

Example: Chicago has trouble playing against teams playing trap style... So, Dallas, STL, or Nashville would be tougher opponent for them that it would be a team with open style of play, such as Det, Van, or SJ.

All I know is that Buffalo beat up the west this year, and they are an East bubble team
- theblueandgold

avs say hi.

3 series had gone to a game 7.... not so sure anything there was easy. Neither was the finals. While there is a lot to hate about both teams, VAN went all the way to game 7 in the finals and should get some respect for that fact.

Both conferences play differently. The west has a lot more higher powered finesse teams while the East will grind you down with tougher defense and goal tending. Tough to say who is really better...IMO it depends on which type of Hockey you enjoy.
- glove_was_stuck

If you have trouble sleeping at night you should watch the Western conference, if you like real hockey then watch the Eastern conference.

NYR vs NJD last night great game, Pitts vs Philly on Sunday great game.
San Jose vs Ana last night? A sleep before the 1st 5 mins are over.

dude the Bruins had two seven game series before the final, give your head a shake
- Rayven

Against the BIG bad montreal canadiens... which is what... a 5 hours drive away and from a physical standpoint... no team in the east and probably the west that could match the bruins.

Sweep of philly... again... like a 40 minute plane ride...and then on to tampa... which was a bit of a cinderella story and really had no business being there.

Your other 7 games was during the finals... so I wouldn't exactly count that.

Not saying thats why you won... but sure didn't hurt any!

avs say hi.
- Drij

bragging about a lucky bounce to tie the game up with 2 seconds and winning in a shoot out?


sabres would beat the avs in a 7 game series without difficulty

the better conf is the one without toronto in it

theres a different playing style amongst the conferences.

east is always a close defensive, physical style of play. the west is more wide open up and down scoring hockey.

some east teams dont fit in well in the west, some west teams dont fit in well in the east.

I think Buffalo would actually play much better in the west.

So these new "Because it's the Cup" commercials NBC's running suck...

Against the BIG bad montreal canadiens... which is what... a 5 hours drive away and from a physical standpoint... no team in the east and probably the west that could match the bruins.

Sweep of philly... again... like a 40 minute plane ride...and then on to tampa... which was a bit of a cinderella story and really had no business being there.

Your other 7 games was during the finals... so I wouldn't exactly count that.

Not saying thats why you won... but sure didn't hurt any!
- kneughter

TB was seven games as well, and then the final, first team in the history of the NHL to win three seven game series and the cup

If you have trouble sleeping at night you should watch the Western conference, if you like real hockey then watch the Eastern conference.

NYR vs NJD last night great game, Pitts vs Philly on Sunday great game.
San Jose vs Ana last night? A sleep before the 1st 5 mins are over.
- Stalemate

The SJ-ANA game was actually quite entertaining. Any time the first three goals of the game are scored within 3 minutes of each other, entertaining.