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          Cross Checks Blog

          Wrapping up the Western Conference

          • Katie Strang, ESPN.comOct 20, 2014, 10:52 AM ET
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              Katie Strang covers the Detroit Tigers for ESPN.com. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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          Trending up

          • Frederik Andersen: So 21-year-old John Gibson was heralded as the Ducks’ goaltender of the future, and that still may be the case, but it sure seems like Andersen has something to say about it. After Gibson was shellacked in the season opener, Andersen has made the most of his opportunity. Making 28 saves, Andersen recorded his first NHL shutout in the Ducks’ 3-0 win over the Blues on Sunday. It was his fifth consecutive win of the season. Meanwhile, Gibson was sent down to the minors to get in some more games while Bruce Boudreau rides the hot hand.

          • Los Angeles Kings: The Kings might be slow starters, but they managed to right the ship quickly. After stumbling out of the gates, the defending Stanley Cup champs have rattled off four straight, including a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. Goaltender Jonathan Quick can take a heaping share of the credit there -- he made 40 saves -- while youngsters Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson continue to shine playing on a line with veteran Jeff Carter. Those three players have combined for 20 points through the first six games of the season.

          • Nashville (the city and the team): Nice little start to the season for the Nashville Predators, who remain atop the Central Division under new coach Peter Laviolette. The Preds are coming off an overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, but are one of only three teams that have yet to suffer a regulation loss. Maybe a new voice and some fresh ideas are resonating in Music City. Speaking of which, it was revealed last week that Nashville will be hosting the 2016 All-Star Game. Awesome city, good grub and great music. No complaints here!

          Trending down

          • Edmonton Oilers: Not like expectations were high with this beleaguered team to begin with, but boy, things are already looking dire for Dallas Eakins & Co. Along with the downtrodden Carolina Hurricanes, the Oilers are one of only two teams without a win this season. The Oilers, off to their worst start in franchise history, have dropped three straight games, most recently a shutout at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks. What, you thought Benoit Pouliot was going to come in and save the day? Hard to know what is to come for the franchise in the future. Can't keep firing coaches every other season.

          • Colorado’s goaltending: If there was any way the Avs could have prevented the anticipated regression from last season, it would have likely involved another stellar season from Semyon Varlamov. Well, that’s already hit a detour with the Russian netminder on the shelf with a groin injury. Making matters worse is the fact backup Reto Berra is sidelined, as well, thrusting rookie Calvin Pickard between the pipes. Pickard will end up on the highlight reel from this weekend’s play, but on the wrong side of the action after surrendering his second goal of the game to Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban in the Habs’ 3-2 win on Saturday.

          Injury report

          • Varlamov remains on injured reserve with a groin injury for the Avs, while Berra sustained a neck injury in a game last week, according to the Denver Post, but is considered day-to-day.

          • The Blues were without center Paul Stastny in their shutout defeat on Sunday. Stastny reportedly sustained an upper-body injury against the Arizona Coyotes one night prior, though an exact timeline for his return is not immediately clear.

          What to watch for

          • Riding a five-game winning streak, the Anaheim Ducks have the chance to pull away from the pack with three straight home matches at the Honda Center before embarking on a tough road trip next week that includes stops in St. Louis and Chicago.

          • According to a report from TSN, the Calgary Flames are closing in on an extension for defenseman T.J. Brodie and are expected to announce a new deal soon. The 24-year-old blueliner had four goals and 31 points for the Flames last season and is seen as a critical piece for the club’s back end.

          • Speaking of young Flames, Johnny Gaudreau scored his first goal of the 2014-15 season in Calgary’s 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets this weekend. Should be interesting to see what that does for Johnny Hockey's confidence and whether he can keep the ball rolling, considering the former Boston College standout was a healthy scratch on Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. That’s not a bad way to respond to a benching.