Western Conference: Five Teams Fight For Last 2 Spots

Although the Eastern Conference playoff picture comes with more questions, half of the teams in the West have been in or around the same slot for weeks. The top 5 teams in the West have clinched playoff spots. Columbus should be next as they sit in 6th with 90 points with 3 games to play.

Let's check in on the Western Conference:

• Like Boston, San Jose is assured the #1 seed. Who they play is anyone's guess at this point. The Sharks will deal with questions about being able to come out of the West (as has been the question for so many consecutive years now)... Detroit still gets more respect for obvious reasons, but the Sharks look like the real deal this year. Hard to find weaknesses on that team.
• Speaking of the defending champs, the Red Wings will roll into the post-season as the #2 seed. The favorites, to repeat, will deal with the same yearly questions about their suspect goaltending. Can Chris Osgood get it done for them or will we see Ty Conklin?
• The Flames were in danger of losing control of the 3rd seed (getting shut out in 3 of the 5 games), but the Canucks have stumbled down the stretch. The Flames visit Vancouver Tuesday night in a game that should feature plenty of aggression. If the Flames can win that contest, their final 2 games of the season would be against an Edmonton team that might be eliminated by then. I expect Calgary to seize the 3rd seed and home ice.
• The Blue Jackets are a win away from clinching the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They will be a story over the course of the next week. They've finally put it all together thanks to the emergence of rookie Steve Mason in goal.
• With only 2 games left, the Anaheim Ducks better not make any mistakes. There are 4 teams behind them and all are fighting for their playoff lives with 3 games to go.
• St. Louis' unlikely second-half resurgence could result in a playoff berth, but they're neck and neck with Nashville and the Wild and Oilers are hanging on the ledge. With 2 of their last 3 games against non-playoff teams (Avalanche and Coyotes), the Blues find themselves in a pretty favorable position. I'll be rooting for head coach Andy Murray's club.
• The Oilers and Wild basically have to win out if they want that final spot and I'd imagine the Ducks, Predators and/or Blues would have to stumble. I think we'll have a 2-team race for that 8th spot before we hit the weekend.
  

In random news, Universal Pictures' Fast and Furious (same title as the first one? Really?!?) was no.1 at the box office pulling in over $72.5 million. SNL paid tribute to the film this weekend with their own ad and an alternate title. Pretty funny stuff.

Check it out here.