NHL Western Conference predicted order of finish

(predicted order of finish)

With captain David Backes and progression of Alex Pietrangelo, David Perron and others, league's stingiest defense should score a bunch.

Defending Cup champs must improve 2.29 goals a game, but Conn Smythe-winning goalie Jonathan Quick has their back.

Most poised to jump out of gate fast with Jordan Eberle, Justin Schultz, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins coming from AHL.

Faded last year, but Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith make them soar.

Craig Leipold invested $196 million in Zach Parise/Ryan Suter for good reason. Blue line still a huge concern, but four-year playoff drought ends.

How they handle injuries to engine Ryan Kesler and David Booth and brush aside Roberto Luongo trade distractions will determine fate.

Playoffs in 13 of past 14 years. Is this the season Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture replace Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau as key cogs?

Stars Pekka Rinne and Shea Weber remain, but the Predators could be in trouble with seven-game road trip right off the hop.

Elder statesmen Ray Whitney and Jaromir Jagr should help an improving core, but how quickly will the Jamie Benn contract dispute end?

Weight will be on the shoulders of reigning Calder Trophy winner and first-year, 20-year-old captain Gabriel Landeskog.

Hard to bet against Dave Tippett, especially after a division title, but who will score? And was goalie Mike Smith smoke and mirrors?

Miikka Kiprusoff will be overloaded with work and Jarome Iginla will be inundated with questions about his future.