Eks Note: thanks as always for visiting site and my blog. I really appreciate it. Also I’m always looking for ways to improve my systems so let me know what you think of the Eks Factors and how you would change them more improve them…. Not that I had to tell you to give your opinions…haha. Also if you were doing the NHL bracket challenge, I’ve created a league for hockey buzz and I will be giving out a very cool trophy to the winner. Just go to your bracket page and join the league Hockeybuzz. You have until 7 PM Eastern time tonight to join the Hockeybuzz league, even if you haven’t yet created your bracket you can do so quickly.

The Ek Factors for The Western Conference Playoff Series

Winnipeg Jets:
Pressure:2 (lower more pressure)
President's Trophy, Failed playoffs
Momentum: 8
7-3-3 last ten
Health:: 6
Ehlers Out week-week
Powerplay::10
best in the NHL
Goaltending/Defense::10
Best in NHL
Home Ice Advantage: 9
2nd best NHL
Matchup: 8
Last 2 Seasons head to head:6-1
This Season Head to Head: 3-1
Intangibles:5
Fighting many ghosts from the past. First Few Games Vital to Get Past
Ek Factor: 58

VS.

St Louis Blues:
Pressure: 3 (lower more pressure)
Not expected by most to make playoffs
Momentum: 9
7-2-1 last ten, t best record NHL last month
Health:: 8
Thomas banged up?
Powerplay::4
16th in NHL
Goaltending/Defense::7
Binnington 22th but big game goalie
Home Ice Advantage: 6
16th in NHL
Matchup: 3
Last 2 Seasons head to head: 1-6
This Season Head to Head: 3-3
Intangibles:8
Binnington Big Game Goalie who beat Hellybuck in 4Nations
Ek Factor: 48

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Colorado Avalanche:
Pressure: 3 (lower more pressure)
Ghosts, Marner UFA
Momentum: 6/b>
5-4-1 Last Ten
Health:: 8
Josh Manson Healthy?
Powerplay::7
8th in NHL
Goaltending/Defense::8
Wedgewood 5th
Blackwood 12th
Home Ice Advantage: 6
12th best NHL
Matchup: 7
Last 2 Seasons head to head:6-1
This Season Head to Head: 2-1
Last year's Playoffs: 2-4
Intangibles:8
Having Landeskog Up with the club will add inspiration
Ek Factor: 53

VS.

Dallas Stars:
Pressure: 4 (lower more pressure)
Made Rantanen Trade
Momentum:4
3-5-2 last ten
Health::6
Heiskanen out kills
Powerplay::4
18th in NHL
Goaltending/Defense::6
Oettinger 10ths 5th Best
Home Ice Advantage: 8
6 th best NHL
Matchup: 5
Last 2 Seasons head to head: 2-3-2
This Season Head to Head: 1-1-1
Last Season Playoffs 4-2
Intangibles:7
Rantanen with a score to settle
Ek Factor: 44

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Vegas Golden Knights:
Pressure: 3 (lower more pressure)
Fans expect winning
Momentum:6
6-2-2 last ten
Health::9
No Major Injuries
Powerplay::9
2nd in NHL
Goaltending/Defense::8
Hill 8th best
Home Ice Advantage: 8
11th best NHL
Matchup: 2
Last 2 Seasons head to head: 1-6
This Season Head to Head: 0-4
Intangibles: 7
Winning Playoff Team
Ek Factor: 52

VS.

Minnesota Wild:
Pressure:4 (lower more pressure)
Playoff Failures
Momentum:7
5-3-2 Last ten But dramatic last second playoff clinch
Health::9
Finally
Powerplay:5
20st in NHL
Goaltending/Defense::9
Kuemper 2nd best
Home Ice Advantage: 3
21st best NHL
Matchup: 2
Last 2 Seasons head to head:1-4-1
This Season Head to Head: 0-3
Intangibles: 8
They have been impressive by bending but not breaking with all the injuries
Ek Factor: 47

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LA Kings:
Pressure: 7 (lower more pressure)
Better than expected, but expectations
Momentum:8
8-2 last ten
Health::9
Healthy
Powerplay:2
27st in NHL
Goaltending/Defense::9
Kuemper 2nd best
Home Ice Advantage: 10
best in NHL
Matchup: 7
Last 2 Seasons head to head:5-7-1
This Season Head to Head: 4-1
Playoffs 1-4
NOTE The Kings shutout Edmonton Twice in April and have only allowed 1 goal in 3 games in 2025
Intangibles: 8
Best they have been going into.a playoff and want to slay Oilers ghost of the playoffs
Ek Factor: 60

Edmonton Oilers:
Pressure:2(lower more pressure)
STANLEY CUP Finalist...McDavid
Momentum:7
7-3-0 Last ten But dramatic last second playoff clinch
Health::6
Draisaitl may play but hurt. No Klingberg. No Kane
Powerplay:7
12t in NHL
Goaltending/Defense::1
Skinner 34th
Pickard 24th
Home Ice Advantage: 5
13th best NHL
Matchup: 6
Last 2 Seasons head to head:4-3-1
This Season Head to Head: 1-2-1
Playoffs 4-1
Intangibles: 8
McDavid on a McMission is always an intangible
Ek Factor: 42


So.....

Jets 58
Blues 48

Colorado 53
Dallas 44

Vegas 52
Minnesota 47

LA Kings 60
Edmonton 42

I will be adding the previous Eastern to this to make it a complete guide.
I will also be putting up my picks before gametime Tonight