DETROIT -- The San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks were the class of the Western Conference most of the season, separating themselves from the pack.

After his team's 1-0 shootout victory at Nashville on Saturday, Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock revisited that notion, posing the question, "Who's the best team in the West?''

That no longer is an easy question to answer. The standings say the Sharks and Blackhawks still are the top teams in the conference. The Red Wings' recent play suggests they should be in the conversation.

"I think Chicago's probably been the best team in the West, San Jose maybe,'' Babcock said. "Who knows who the best team in the West is? That's what I'm trying to say.

"I don't know if you interview 10 people if they'd all give you the same three. That's how tight the league is now. With our experience, if you can get into the tournament, we feel we have a chance.''

Barring a collapse, Detroit will make the playoffs, possibly as the fifth seed in the West. The Red Wings have won a season-high five consecutive games and are 12-2-1 in their past 15. They trail the Predators by one point but have a game in hand and a favorable schedule (four of their remaining seven games are against non-playoff teams Columbus and Edmonton).

As inconceivable as it seemed a month ago, if the Red Wings gain nine of a possible 14 points, they will finish with their 10th consecutive 100-point season.

"Buffalo's had a heck of a year, they're at (92) points; New Jersey's had a great year (with 93 points before Sunday),'' Babcock said. "We're at (91) and think we've been no good.

"So a little perspective.''

Nashville coach Barry Trotz said he never doubted the Red Wings would make the playoffs, even when they were riddled by injuries.

"They got exceptional players,'' Trotz said. "You go down the list, that's not a poor team. That's not an eighth-place team, that's a team that has a lot more.''

Others in the West surely would agree. The Red Wings, even with a depleted roster for most of the season, have assembled a 14-4-4 record against the five teams ahead of them: San Jose (3-0-1), Chicago (2-2-1), Vancouver (3-1-0), Phoenix (2-0-2) and Nashville (4-1-0)

"I look at the West, I don't know who's going to be the favorite, because there's not going to be much (difference) from 1 to 8,'' Trotz said.

Babcock lauds Howards

After watching Jimmy Howard stop all 33 shots he faced in regulation and overtime and then turn aside 10-of-11 shootout attempts to earn his second career shutout, Babcock said, "I think this is as good a goaltending we've had since I've been here.''

Babcock said he would not be concerned about Howard's lack of experience in the playoffs.

"He's a guy who's done a good job for us, gotten us to the point we're at,'' Babcock said. "The test of time is what he's got to survive.

"To me he's showing real good signs. He's given our team confidence. He looks like a real goalie to me. I'm real comfortable (using Howard in the playoffs).''

Odds & ends

The 22 shots needed to decide the shootout equaled an NHL season-high. ... The Red Wings improved to 5-9 in shootouts this season. ... Defenseman Niklas Kronwall scored what proved to be the winning goal on his first career shootout attempt. ... Center Darren Helm was the only forward Babcock did not use in the shootout. ... Patrick Eaves stumbled and fell during his attempt, failing to get a shot off. He laughed about it.