Eks Note: thanks as always for visiting site and my blog. I really appreciate it. Also I’m always looking for ways to improve my systems so let me know what you think of the Eks Factors and how you would change them more improve them…. Not that I had to tell you to give your opinions…haha. Also if you were doing the NHL bracket challenge, I’ve created a league for hockey buzz and I will be giving out a very cool trophy to the winner. Just go to your bracket page and join the league Hockeybuzz. You have until 7 PM Eastern time tonight to join the Hockeybuzz league, even if you haven’t yet created your bracket you can do so quickly.
The Ek Factors for The Western Conference Playoff Series
Winnipeg Jets: Pressure:2 (lower more pressure) President's Trophy, Failed playoffs Momentum: 8 7-3-3 last ten Health:: 6 Ehlers Out week-week Powerplay::10 best in the NHL Goaltending/Defense::10 Best in NHL Home Ice Advantage: 9 2nd best NHL Matchup: 8 Last 2 Seasons head to head:6-1 This Season Head to Head: 3-1 Intangibles:5 Fighting many ghosts from the past. First Few Games Vital to Get Past Ek Factor: 58
VS.
St Louis Blues: Pressure: 3 (lower more pressure) Not expected by most to make playoffs Momentum: 9 7-2-1 last ten, t best record NHL last month Health:: 8 Thomas banged up? Powerplay::4 16th in NHL Goaltending/Defense::7 Binnington 22th but big game goalie Home Ice Advantage: 6 16th in NHL Matchup: 3 Last 2 Seasons head to head: 1-6 This Season Head to Head: 3-3 Intangibles:8 Binnington Big Game Goalie who beat Hellybuck in 4Nations Ek Factor: 48
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Colorado Avalanche: Pressure: 3 (lower more pressure) Ghosts, Marner UFA Momentum: 6/b> 5-4-1 Last Ten Health:: 8 Josh Manson Healthy? Powerplay::7 8th in NHL Goaltending/Defense::8 Wedgewood 5th Blackwood 12th Home Ice Advantage: 6 12th best NHL Matchup: 7 Last 2 Seasons head to head:6-1 This Season Head to Head: 2-1 Last year's Playoffs: 2-4 Intangibles:8 Having Landeskog Up with the club will add inspiration Ek Factor: 53
VS.
Dallas Stars: Pressure: 4 (lower more pressure) Made Rantanen Trade Momentum:4 3-5-2 last ten Health::6 Heiskanen out kills Powerplay::4 18th in NHL Goaltending/Defense::6 Oettinger 10ths 5th Best Home Ice Advantage: 8 6 th best NHL Matchup: 5 Last 2 Seasons head to head: 2-3-2 This Season Head to Head: 1-1-1 Last Season Playoffs 4-2 Intangibles:7 Rantanen with a score to settle Ek Factor: 44
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Vegas Golden Knights: Pressure: 3 (lower more pressure) Fans expect winning Momentum:6 6-2-2 last ten Health::9 No Major Injuries Powerplay::9 2nd in NHL Goaltending/Defense::8 Hill 8th best Home Ice Advantage: 8 11th best NHL Matchup: 2 Last 2 Seasons head to head: 1-6 This Season Head to Head: 0-4 Intangibles: 7 Winning Playoff Team Ek Factor: 52
VS.
Minnesota Wild: Pressure:4 (lower more pressure) Playoff Failures Momentum:7 5-3-2 Last ten But dramatic last second playoff clinch Health::9 Finally Powerplay:5 20st in NHL Goaltending/Defense::9 Kuemper 2nd best Home Ice Advantage: 3 21st best NHL Matchup: 2 Last 2 Seasons head to head:1-4-1 This Season Head to Head: 0-3 Intangibles: 8 They have been impressive by bending but not breaking with all the injuries Ek Factor: 47
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LA Kings: Pressure: 7 (lower more pressure) Better than expected, but expectations Momentum:8 8-2 last ten Health::9 Healthy Powerplay:2 27st in NHL Goaltending/Defense::9 Kuemper 2nd best Home Ice Advantage: 10 best in NHL Matchup: 7 Last 2 Seasons head to head:5-7-1 This Season Head to Head: 4-1 Playoffs 1-4 NOTE The Kings shutout Edmonton Twice in April and have only allowed 1 goal in 3 games in 2025 Intangibles: 8 Best they have been going into.a playoff and want to slay Oilers ghost of the playoffs Ek Factor: 60
Edmonton Oilers: Pressure:2(lower more pressure) STANLEY CUP Finalist...McDavid Momentum:7 7-3-0 Last ten But dramatic last second playoff clinch Health::6 Draisaitl may play but hurt. No Klingberg. No Kane Powerplay:7 12t in NHL Goaltending/Defense::1 Skinner 34th Pickard 24th Home Ice Advantage: 5 13th best NHL Matchup: 6 Last 2 Seasons head to head:4-3-1 This Season Head to Head: 1-2-1 Playoffs 4-1 Intangibles: 8 McDavid on a McMission is always an intangible Ek Factor: 42
So.....
Jets 58 Blues 48
Colorado 53 Dallas 44
Vegas 52 Minnesota 47
LA Kings 60 Edmonton 42
I will be adding the previous Eastern to this to make it a complete guide. I will also be putting up my picks before gametime Tonight