| Team | PVS | W-L-T-RT | ESPN.com says | 
| 1.   Senators | 14 | 4-0-0-0 | No Yashin, no cry. Radek Bonk (3-4-7) may finally fulfill his potential. | 
| 2.   Stars | 1 | 4-1-0-0 | Too many players seeing stars, but loss to Anaheim a minor hiccup. | 
| 3.   Red Wings | 2 | 2-1-1-0 | Outshot Dallas, 34-14, but still lost. | 
| 4.   Maple Leafs | 13 | 3-1-0-0 | Lost Ontario battle with Sens, but are winning the war for respect. | 
| 5.   Sharks | 7 | 3-1-0-0 | A bull market for Sharks bandwagon jumpers. Rematch with Stars a big test. | 
| 6.   Kings | 18 | 3-1-1-0 | At 33, Luc Robitaille (3-7-10) looks as good as ever, as do the Kings. | 
| 7.   Devils | 5 | 2-1-0-0 | Always a solid regular-season team, but without Brendan Morrison and Patrik Elias, not deep enough to be No. 1. | 
| 8.   Coyotes | 16 | 2-1-1-0 | Mikhail Shtalenkov's soft game-losing goal vs. Rangers shows exactly why 'Yotes need the Bulin Wall. | 
| 9.   Rangers | 4 | 2-2-1-0 | News flash: GM Neil Smith finally got a decent night's sleep and has started answering his phone again. | 
| 10. Panthers | 11 | 2-0-1-0 | In any locker-room language, "We don't stink" sounds pretty good. | 
| 11. Penguins | 8 | 1-1-1-0 | Tom Barrasso is out for at least a week. With a 6.14 GAA and .731 save pct., maybe he shouldn't rush his return. | 
| 12. Sabres | 3 | 0-2-1-0 | Bus for Hasek farewell tour blew a tire in first leg. Atlanta tie was tough to watch. | 
| 13. Blues | 6 | 2-2-0-0 | Roman wasn't built in a day. Turek needs to step up. MacInnis injury hurts more than just big Al. | 
| 14. Canucks | 22 | 3-0-0-0 | No, this isn't a typo. Canucks undefeated. A mere 6 goals against in 3 games is the key. | 
| 15. Hurricanes | 21 | 2-1-0-0 | Still not convinced 'Canes can win long term without Keith Primeau, but they've played tough team defense. | 
| 16. Avalanche | 9 | 1-2-1-0 | Loss to Islanders a scary sight. Lack of offensive pressure (16 shots) against the untested Isles' defense was shocking. | 
| 17. Flyers | 10 | 0-2-1-0 | One goal in three games. Is Rod Brind'Amour that important to this team? | 
| 18. Bruins | 12 | 0-3-1-0 | Worst start in more than 30 years. Coach Pat Burns' practice tirades can be heard all the way in Bristol, Conn. | 
| 19. Mighty Ducks | 15 | 1-2-0-0 | Win over Dallas was encouraging. Paul Kariya has no points and only 4 shots in 2 games. | 
| 20. Oilers | 17 | 1-2-1-1 | Losses to San Jose and St. Louis show Oilers not yet ready for prime time. | 
| 21. Capitals | 24 | 1-1-1-0 | It's already clear that Caps will play better than last season. How much remains to be seen. | 
| 22. Canadiens | 27 | 1-3-0-0 | Lone win came against Flames (see No. 28). Encouraging start for Brian Savage (3 goals). | 
| 23. Islanders | 28 | 1-1-0-0 | With win over Avs, maybe they're not that bad. Lots of young players getting valuable experience. | 
| 24. Thrashers | 23 | 0-2-1-0 | Thrashers scored 5 goals against Buffalo. With schedule easing somewhat, first win should come soon. | 
| 25. Lightning | 26 | 1-2-0-0 | The battle for last place in the Southeast is on. Tampa just may have what it takes to stay out of the cellar. | 
| 26. Blackhawks | 19 | 0-2-2-0 | NHL version of "Fight Club." Tony Amonte stands in for Brad Pitt and gets pasted by high-school teammate Jeremy Roenick. | 
| 27. Predators | 25 | 0-2-1-0 | Home of country music. Should switch to the blues for remainder of season. | 
| 28. Flames | 20 | 0-3-0-0 | Is recently signed Jarome Iginla a savior? No, but he should help them score some goals. |