NHL preview: How the Western Conference shapes up The Kings learned last season how difficult it is to repeat as Stanley Cup champions; they deserve credit for reaching the West final after losing defenseman Matt Greene for much of the season and defenseman Willie Mitchell for the entire season. Now it's the Chicago Blackhawks' turn to attempt a repeat, a feat no team has managed since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998. The Blackhawks have a good shot, especially because they've stayed intact and brought in some younger players. But St. Louis has the potential to go far and the Kings have kept their 2012 Cup core, so there are no guarantees. Realignment and a new playoff format mean the top three teams in each division will qualify for the playoffs, along with the next two highest-placed teams in each conference. It will be possible for five teams to qualify from one division and three from another. How the West shapes up, in predicted order of finish: 2012-13: 27-16-5 (59 points), 5th in West Losing defensive stalwart Rob Scuderi to free agency will hurt and they'll need Jake Muzzin to step up. They also need Matt Frattin to boost their weak scoring from the left side. He probably will skate alongside Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. Jonathan Quick could be the U.S. Olympic team's starting goalie at the Sochi Olympics. Two concerns: Dustin Brown missed most of camp because of a hamstring pull, a bad start for a player who must be physical to be effective, and center Anze Kopitar must shake the scoring woes that plagued him last season. 2012-13: 25-16-7 (57 points), 6th in the West. The Sharks have become Logan Couture's team since the dynamic forward figuratively took the leadership reins from Joe Thornton. As always, they have tons of talent, a fine goalie in Antti Niemi (2.16 goals-against, .924 save percentage), and excellent centers. Maybe Couture and freewheeling Brent Burns, who ignited the team after he moved up from defense to wing, have the grit to carry the Sharks to the next level. 2012-13: 21-18-9 (51 points), 10th in West. Coach Dave Tippett and General Manager Don Maloney worked wonders with a small budget while the NHL ran the Coyotes. New owners George Gosbee and Anthony LeBlanc have brought stability and agreed to sign proven center Mike Ribeiro to add scoring depth. Defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle are budding stars. The Coyotes should return to the playoffs after missing last season. 2012-13: 30-12-6 (66 points), 2nd in West If Teemu Selanne regains the form he displayed early last season, if Dustin Penner is revived by being reunited with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, and if Jakob Silfverberg shows the skill that persuaded the Ducks to trade Bobby Ryan for him, this could be a good season. But that's a lot of ifs. And their defense has holes minus the injured Sheldon Souray, who's out until January. But keep an eye on polished 2012 first-round pick Hampus Lindholm. 2012-13: 26-15-7 (59 points), 3rd in West. Despite a season-long saga that pointed toward the exit of goalie Roberto Luongo, he remained and backup Cory Schneider was traded to New Jersey. The biggest change is the exit of Coach Alain Vigneault and the hiring of hard-nosed John Tortorella, formerly of the New York Rangers. Tortorella wants an up-tempo game and the Canucks might not be able to deliver. 2012-13: 19-22-7 (45 points), 12th in West. So many non-playoff finishes have given the Oilers a ton of high draft picks, but their defense and goaltending remain unreliable. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (shoulder surgery) and Sam Gagner (broken jaw) aren't expected to be ready to start the season, but the Oilers have depth up front. Signing veteran defenseman Andrew Ference was a good move, but this team is still a year or so away from the playoffs.