Todd Cordell
I'm going to go with the Ducks.
They've been steamrolling teams for months now and their underlying numbers suggest that's no fluke.
They're getting balanced scoring, their defense has been exceptional, and John Gibson/Frederik Andersen give the Ducks as good of a 1-2 punch as there is in hockey.
The Ducks will get reinforcements at some point, too, as Brandon Pirri - who has 33 goals in his last 101 games - is still out with an injury.
Jason Lewis I think Anaheim has a really good shot. They are finding form at the right time, and getting some of their top players to perform at an expected level. Kings are still managing to win games, but it is definitely at a slower pace than earlier in the year. They now also have some injury concerns rolling in with Gaborik and Nolan out long term. With under 20 games left it is going to be tight but I think that Anaheim has the health, belief, and form right now to squeak out the division.
Peter Tessier This is a fascinating battle because there are three good teams four terrible ones. Interestingly enough every division except one has the same close race as the Pacific.
I wonder if the Ducks are in positive goal differential recently? If so it illustrates one of two things, great goaltending or they are finally scoring after a brutal run of bad shooting percentage? Maybe both. If they can keep up their pace they should win it but that will come down to schedule and who plays the most against softer teams- such as the ones at the bottom of the west.
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