The NHL trade deadline might not have been quite as crazy as some expected, but there were a handful of trades that could change the shape of the Western Conference playoff race and determine which club ends up with the best shot at the top pick in the draft.
Let's have a look at how the West shakes out as we head down the final stretch of the season, and be sure to check out the Eastern Conference breakdown here.
Stanley Cup contenders
These teams are the most likely contenders to represent the West in the Stanley Cup Final.
Nashville Predators
Key stat: 56.3 percent goals for percentage at even strength, No. 1 in the West
Last year's representative from the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final is a favorite to return after stacking up the lineup even more this time around. The Predators rank in the top 10 in goals scored, goals against, power play and penalty kill, in part because Kyle Turris and Nick Bonino have helped create impressive depth in Nashville's lineup. It also doesn't hurt that P.K. Subban is doing P.K. Subban things and leading the team in scoring or that Pekka Rinne is making a run at the Vezina Trophy.
Winnipeg Jets
Key stat: Paul Stastny's 55.5 percent faceoff percentage and plus-5.6 percent relative Corsi
The Jets already were Cup contenders before the addition of Stastny at the deadline. Bringing the veteran center into the mix gives Winnipeg an experienced pivot whom they can trust to take faceoffs in big situations and provide extra offense. It has taken years for the Jets to build up a young core around star Blake Wheeler, but they now have a loaded scoring attack, highlighted by Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele. Of course, ranking second in the league in scoring wouldn't mean much if they didn't finally find a quality goaltender in Connor Hellebuyck.
Vegas Golden Knights
Key stat: 24 wins in 32 home games
Whether it can be attributed to opponents enjoying their stay in Sin City a little too much or the Golden Knights simply playing very good hockey at home, Vegas has been dominant when playing in its own building. It feels strange to have an expansion team in the conversation for the Cup, but the Golden Knights have the most regulation wins and best goal differential in the West. Vegas' deep scoring attack makes the team dangerous in the playoffs, as the Golden Knights have five players with more than 20 goals, and deadline acquisition Tomas Tatar scored 16 this season while skating for Detroit.
So you're tellin' me there's a chance
These teams won't be top contenders heading into the playoffs, but they have a shot at making a Predators-style run to the Final if a few things go their way.
Dallas Stars
Key stat: 28.6 shots against per 60 minutes at even strength, No. 1 in the West
You can see Ken Hitchcock's fingerprints all over the Stars' improvement defensively. A tighter system and the rise of Radek Faksa as a shutdown forward mean the Stars are shutting down opponents' offensive attacks and still getting production from top scorers, including 56 points from free-agent signing Alexander Radulov. Netminder Ben Bishop (.918 save percentage) also has brought stability to the goalie position in Dallas for the first time in a long time.
Los Angeles Kings
Key stat: .934 even-strength save percentage, No. 2 in the NHL
Los Angeles isn't the puck-dominating monster it has been in the past, ranking 16th in Corsi for percentage, but the Kings are still in the race because of consistently strong goaltending from Jonathan Quick, who has his highest save percentage since 2011-12 (.922). The Kings' scoring could see a boost with Jeff Carter's return from injury, and they added Dion Phaneuf to the mix ahead of the deadline, but L.A. will need to ride superstars Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty if they are going deep into the postseason.
Minnesota Wild
Key stat: 55.2 percent high-danger shot attempt percentage, No. 2 in the West
Bruce Boudreau has gotten his team back into the mix after a slow start to the season. His transition system has brought back the 2006 version of Eric Staal, especially when the veteran scorer has been playing alongside Jason Zucker and Mikael Granlund. When Staal and Zucker are on the ice together, the Wild are outscoring the opposition 22-8, with a 56.5 Corsi for percentage. The Wild are a more dangerous team with Zach Parise back from injury, but history has not been on their side when the playoffs come around. Will this time be any different?
San Jose Sharks
Key stat: 21st in even-strength goals for percentage
The Sharks have barely kept their head above water in the playoff race, largely because of their mediocre play at even strength. They are 21st in goals scored and 20th in goals against at 5-on-5; the addition of Evander Kane at the deadline should help that first department. San Jose has been propped up by the No. 1 penalty kill and No. 6 power play. That might help them make the postseason, but it isn't a great model for a deep playoff run.
Anaheim Ducks
Key stat: 3.12 goals per 60 at even strength with Ryan Getzlaf on the ice
Anaheim is probably a better team than its record indicates, considering the team battled injuries to Hampus Lindholm, Ryan Kesler and Getzlaf. At full strength, the Ducks are a dangerous team whose elite players can match up with just about anyone in the West. However, the lack of movement at the trade deadline could leave them in a little weaker position than other teams that added parts.
Bubble watch
Where does the race for the two wild cards stand? Here are the teams that remain in the mix.
St. Louis Blues
Key stat: 52.1 percent even-strength shots on goal percentage, No. 1 in the West
After a hot start to the season, the Blues have fallen down the ranks of the Western Conference. They were so unconvinced that this group could win that the St. Louis brass elected to sell off Paul Stastny at the deadline. But that doesn't mean their playoff hopes are dashed entirely. Though the Blues might not be an offensive threat, when they are playing well, they can control the puck and suffocate opponents' attacks. St. Louis ranks seventh in even-strength goals allowed.
Colorado Avalanche
Key stat: 71 points in 55 games for Nathan MacKinnon
The Avs are a long shot for the playoffs, but their future looks extremely bright. Not only has MacKinnon put his name in the Hart Trophy conversation, but young forward Mikko Rantanen is also near a point-per-game pace. Colorado's patient approach at the deadline was the right one.
Calgary Flames
Key stat: Minus-8 goal differential
Calgary is an exceptional possession team, but it's not an exceptional scoring team. The Flames are second in the West in Corsi for percentage but just 16th in even-strength goals. They haven't had the support from special teams to get them over the hump. With high-end skill players like Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Dougie Hamilton, there is always a chance Calgary's 23rd-ranked power play could get hot and make a charge.
Fahlin' for Dahlin
With generational defenseman prospect Rasmus Dahlin available in the 2018 draft, some teams would be better off maximizing their chances of winning the draft lottery as opposed to eking out a few more wins this season.
Arizona Coyotes
Key stat: 148 goals scored, 31st in the NHL
After an offseason of optimism, Arizona never left the starting gate, falling so far behind to open the season that the Coyotes had no real chance to salvage things. They are in the driver's seat to land a franchise-changing player, so the season might end up being good for them in a long run, but it was surprising they didn't move more parts at the deadline. After missing out on Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine in recent draft lotteries, it seems just that the Coyotes would finally win one.
Vancouver Canucks
Key stat: 54.3 shot attempts per 60 minutes at even strength, second worst in the West
The Canucks can't seem to decide whether they are rebuilding or trying to compete. Vancouver didn't have a fire sale at the deadline and has recently signed players such as Loui Eriksson, Michael Del Zotto and Sam Gagner to multiyear contracts. There is potential for the Canucks to fully restart with the top pick, but they'll need some lottery luck, since they appear to have too much talent to sink all the way to the bottom.
Edmonton Oilers
Key stat: 43.4 goals for percentage without Connor McDavid on the ice
By trading away Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle the past two offseasons, Edmonton stripped its supporting cast for 2016-17 Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid. Instead of building the roster through the system and cheap free agents, they went all-in on deals for Milan Lucic and Kris Russell. It'll take some work to dig out from under some of the Oilers' bad deals, but with the league's best player in place, things could turn around quickly. After all, this is a team that has a knack for winning draft lotteries.
Chicago Blackhawks
Key stat: 29th-ranked power play, at 15.5 percent
For the first time in forever, the Blackhawks were sellers at the deadline. While they didn't move out any major parts, they started the process of reworking the roster around Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. It might take time for them to find competent role players on rookie deals. But the Boston Bruins have shown that it can be done.