Nashville Predators: Currently in 1st WC, 87 pts, 72 GP

Dallas Stars: Currently in 2nd WC, 86 pts, 72 GP

Los Angeles Kings: Currently 3rd place in Pacific, 86 pts. 74 GP

Vegas Golden Knights: Currently on the outside looking in, 84 pts, 73 GP

My take: LA Kings. They've been overachieving all season IMO, and (with a ton of injuries) are slumping as of late, while Vegas has just gotten Pacioretty back with Stone about to be next. Vegas overtakes LA for the 3rd spot in the Pacific, and Nashville and Dallas get the WC's.

Vegas can be scary good. They're making it.
I think dallas has the slight edge from more firepower than LA everywhere in the lineup. Better 1st line, LA barely has superstar forwards. Dallas has a legit top pair, while Doughty is out the rest of the year for the Kings. And I would trust otteinger more than quick or petersen.
Nice season by LA, but unless quick goes G mode, kings will miss it unfortunately for them by a few points.
But future is bright if they get a top winger and top dman.
Forsberg and chychrun.
Maybe a better goalie too, and LA are cup contenders.
But sadly not this year kings fans!

i really wish i could answer all of the above.

LA

I want Vegas nowhere near the playoffs unless Edmonton usurps Calgary for first place in the Pacific division.

Can't blame you for that one. Would be a nightmare scenario for the Oilers to come all this way just to have to meet up with a fully healthy Golden Knights team in the first round.

Yep

As this is the same Vegas team who dismantled Colorado. Sure they got no MAF but they got Eichel.

Speaking of which...

Defenseman Drew Doughty underwent successful wrist surgery today & will not return this season. He is expected to make a full recovery for next season. pic.twitter.com/vNtgSZ1fS9

— LA Kings (@LAKings) April 11, 2022

Kings out Vegas in

The knights should be elite but injuries and Peter DeBoer being a glorified demo of Bruce Boudreau are holding them back