For the inaugural Screen Shots, we figured it best to advise readers what to expect from this space in the coming months. A mission statement of sorts, a few paragraphs outlining what we¹d like to achieve, with 'not getting sued' right up there at the top of the list.

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For starters: There will be stories about the Toronto Maple Leafs. This needed to be stated right off the hop, in hopes of stemming the avalanche of "Dear God, not another Leafs story from another Toronto-centric media clown" correspondence that inevitably comes THN's way any time we dare focus on Mats Sundin & Co. People, we're well aware of the pitfalls of centering our attentions on a team simply because they play in the city where we work. There are too many good stories around the NHL that deserve attention, no matter how tempting it might be to get in another Jonas Hoglund/fax machine joke.

But that doesn't mean we have to completely ignore the Leafs. For example, if Pat Quinn were to disclose his profound respect for the media - not that we're holding our breath, mind you - we reserve the right to talk about it. And the fact Tie Domi was considered a major off-season re-signing for Toronto is a fact that simply cannot be ignored, both for its immeasurable comedic value and as a testament to the undying, unwarranted faith Leaf fans have in the management of their team.

Besides, when you grow up watching the likes of Jeff Brubaker and Brian Curran wearing the blue and white, you automatically earn the right to critique the team, regardless of time or place. Don't say you weren't warned.

Next: While we prefer to keep the tone of this space merry and bright, there will be times when the lure of the soapbox proves too difficult to resist.

Case in point: Can someone please rationalize why the NHL continues to name the award for the most valuable player in the playoffs after Conn Smythe? Granted, the man did a bunch of good things, not the least of which was creating the Maple Leafs, but let's not kid ourselves: Smythe was the same guy who, after watching black prospect Herb Carnegie play, said "I'll give $10,000 to anyone who can turn Herbie Carnegie white." Carnegie never played a game in the NHL, his considerable talents kept out of the league by exactly the type of person who would've laughed along with Smythe at his comment.

Now we're not suggesting Smythe was the only person who spoke in those terms, but his words - like Ozzy Osbourne at a diction awareness rally - stand out, and are reason enough to take his name off the trophy. What happens if one of Anson Carter, Jarome Iginla, Kevin Weekes or some other non-Caucasian player wins the playoff MVP down the road? We'll tell you what happens - another embarrassing episode for a league that has had more than its fair share (e.g. John Spanos, Bruce McNall.)

In a perfect world, the NHL would rename the Conn Smythe Trophy the Herb Carnegie MVP, but we'll settle for any name change that respects the diversity of today's game, as opposed to one that cherishes a culture where the color of a person's skin could be appraised.

We also welcome your questions and comments, just so long as they're not overtly offensive or otherwise odious. Every so often, we'll try and run a column of responses to reader mail. One suggestion: if you want your question or comment dealt with, use upper and lower casing. Why? E-mails typed in all capitals will be ignored, that's why. It's a personal thing, really; it brings to mind screaming children and ransom notes, and it's something we try to discourage.

Mostly, Screen Shots is about having a good time, like Bob Clarke at a Lindros family roast (don't get too excited, Mr. Clarke - we don't mean the type that involves a spit). After all, we'll be writing about the NHL. This is a league that Norm Green, Harold Ballard and Alan Eagleson once infected; this is a league that condones clubbing another player across the neck with a stick, but only if that player (a) is your teammate and (b) will make approximately $44,950,000 less than you over the next few seasons; this is a league that believes less U.S. television coverage is good for the sport's growth, leading to the obvious conclusion that zero games aired would flood communities across the Bible Belt with pucks and sticks.

In other words, this is a league that's often good for a laugh.

Hopefully, Screen Shots will be as well.

Screen Shots will appear on thehockeynews.com every Tuesday. Send your letters of praise, advice, concern, query or condemnation to Adam Proteau.

Don't touch that dial!

By Adam Proteau

With the start of the new season on the near horizon, the NHL Network is also about to break out of its summer slumber. The problem is, as one of the thousand or so fledgling digital channels, it faces a massive amount of competition for viewers' attention.

That's where Screen Shots comes in. Armed only with a pathetically large capacity to sit through wave upon wave of cruddy television show, we're ready to propose a slew of new NHL-based programming guaranteed to drive Nielsen ratings higher than Willie Nelson on a yearlong sabbatical in Amsterdam. Hope you're paying attention, commissioner Bettman:

American Idle: Follow Blues GM Larry Pleau as he explains why making no changes to a team already without defenseman Chris Pronger for the first half of the season will make them better in a more competitive Western Conference. (Also in the works: a Canadian spin-off starring Ted Nolan.)

Alias: Featuring New Jersey Devil Mike Danton/Jefferson.

Jackass: Inspired by the warped antics of MTV's infamous stuntpunks, disgraced NHLPA head Alan Eagleson allows himself to be kicked in the crotch, shot out of a cannon, and pushed down a flight of stairs in a shopping cart, all in hopes of convincing the public what a terrible price he's had to pay for his past actions. Hosted (happily) by Brad Park.

Scrubs: The Toronto Maple Leafs, circa 1980-92.

Law & Order: NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell drops the gavel on obstruction, the perpetual fashion crimes of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, and mandatory eye protection, among other issues. Not-so-comic relief provided by Canucks GM Brian ("Sedin isn't Swedish for Œgrab a twin in a headlock and give him a face wash,' ") Burke.

24: The approximate number of games the New York Rangers will play before egos, a distinct lack of defense and a rabid Manhattan media steamroll its playoff hopes.

Fear Factor: Laugh, cry and seek therapy along with Florida Panthers rookie Jay Bouwmeester, who will be begging to eat elephant genitalia after a season under noted sentimentalist Mike Keenan.

America's Funniest Home Videos: Hosted by Bill Guerin. Ahem.

Survivor, Tie-land: Wherein Leafs tough guy Tie Domi votes fans, media and even mascot Carlton the Bear off the island for daring to act contrary to his beliefs (e.g. booing Ed Belfour for not stopping the puck). Because goodness knows, Tie Domi is the acknowledged authority on in-arena etiquette.

Just Shoot Me: Otherwise known as "What it's like to be named Paul Kariya and wear a Mighty Ducks jersey."

The Agency: Focusing on uber-agent Don Meehan, who, after locking up Canadian television personality Ron MacLean to a snazzy new contract, agrees to represent commissioner Gary Bettman, the U.S. Senate, all 30 team owners, players union head Bob Goodenow, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, the protective netting behind the glass, and Janet Gretzky. (The Christmas party episode is a must-see.)

Screen Shots appears on thehockeynews.com every Tuesday. Send your letters of praise, advice, concern, query or condemnation to Adam Proteau.

FANTASY TIPS X 2

Dealing with injured goalies

The loss of Curtis Joseph to a hand injury created an interesting dilemma for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and poolies.

While the Maple Leafs were wondering if they should stick with Schwab while Joseph was recuperating, poolies were wondering if they should add Schwab to their rosters.

There are too many rumors surrounding a replacement for Schwab, and too many available replacements, to invest too much in Schwab. Ron Tugnutt, Kevin Weekes and Jeff Hackett the most likely candidates.

The player who may be the most intriguing in this scenario is minor-league sensation Sebastien Centomo, who was called up to back up Schwab. His situation just stinks of one of those situations where an unheralded prospect gets his chance and makes good. If you look back at how Ken Dryden and Patrick Roy made their names, or even as recently as last season when Evgeni Nabokov replaced an injured Steve Shields, it makes you realize that's how a lot of new goalies get their opportunity.

If a goalie is good enough to make it as far as the NHL, he's good enough to play in the NHL. That's not to say that some aren't better than others, but rather that in most cases the team wins, not the goalie. Joseph, oddly enough, has been a recent exception to that rule. Nikolai Khabibulin certainly is for Tampa Bay, as well.

But, any goalie who has played a minute in the NHL this season would have a winning record for a team such as Detroit. And any goalie would have a losing record with Florida.

Back to the Toronto situation, if the Maple Leafs stick with Schwab don't be surprised if he comes through. It happens frequently when the No. 1 goalie goes down that the backup performs well.

It may have something to do with team attitudes. Perhaps they're more wary of protecting the goalie because they feel they need to. Perhaps the coach institutes more defensive strategy. Perhaps the backup goalie is pumped up with adrenaline now that he's finally got his opportunity.

Whatever the reason it's rarely a major disaster when the No. 1 goalie is out with injuries, and frequently it's just the opposite. We can look at examples from this season.

In Vancouver, when Dan Cloutier was injured and Peter Skudra was pressed into the starting role, the Canucks went 6-0-1 the first seven games and earned a point in all but one of the nine. Robert Esche went 3-3-1 (one of the losses in OT) when Sean Burke was hurt in Phoenix. And those are the only two times a clear No. 1 goalie was injured for an extended period on any team this season

In Vancouver and Phoenix they were comfortable with their backups filling in, but in Toronto the situation is different, and certainly hasn't been resolved yet. If they trade for another goalie, you can add him to your roster because he's going to play probably all the time until Joseph returns.

If you want a long shot, though, I'd go with Centomo. If he gets a start, I'm betting he'll be sensational. Maybe a star will be born.

Post-Olympic boost for some?

Always look at a schedule break as an ideal time to look for underachievers.

When they re away from the game, they may not think about it for a day or two, but eventually their thoughts are going to drift back, especially if they haven't been playing well.

They're going to think about what they've been doing wrong and how they can fix it. By the time they get back they may have a brand new attitude.

You can relate to it in your own life. If you get a vacation away from your job, eventually you're going to think about work. Even if you don't, when you get back you're going to be refreshed and have a better attitude. For a little while, at least, you're probably going to be much more effective, especially if you were in a rut or having a difficult time of it before your holiday.

Another common occurrence in the NHL is for rookies and older Europeans playing in the league for the first time to hit a wall. I don't know that they get tired physically, but mentally so many games in such a short time is difficult for someone not accustomed to it.

As for players coming back from the Olympics, it's hard to say how they will react. A player on a team that wins will feel satisfied, while a player on a team that unexpectedly loses (such as Sweden) may be down for a while. In other words, who knows how they will react.

Here are some players that have been struggling or injured that we might expect more from after the Olympic Break.

Marc Savard, Calgary - Whether he gets traded, is re-united with Jarome Iginla, or stays on the power play, he has to stop blaming others for his scoring problems. That's not to say it's not the fault of others, but he has to overcome it, and last year's performance shows that he can. In the 15 games before the break, Savard had a four-point game, but had just one point in two of the other 14.

Chris Drury, Colorado - He came around before the break and started scoring like he can. He just has to keep it up.

Pierre Turgeon, Dallas - Not exactly the scoring machine the Stars expected, or we've seen in the past. He can, and probably will, become that machine again, and possibly this season.

Tom Poti, Edmonton - An often rumored trade might get him going again, but the offensive defenseman has the talent to do it on his own.

Kristian Huselius, Florida - This is one of those players I mentioned above, who hit a wall. It's his first time with the long season, and after a dynamite start, slowed down considerably. The time off may revitalize him.

David Legwand, Nashville - This was supposed to be a breakout season for Legwand, but instead he's taken a step back and will struggle to match last year's production. He could pick it up and have a good stretch run.

Petr Sykora (Patrik Elias, Jason Arnott), New Jersey - Last season's top line has been anything but this year. They could easily get it together and go wild in the remainder of the season.

Petr Nedved, NY Rangers - Hard to tell with Nedved because the Rangers big line doesn't include him. He is the type of player, however, who could go on a nice run.

Shawn McEachern, Ottawa - A terrible season by his standards, but started to show signs of coming out of his slump just before the Olympic break.

Teemu Selanne, San Jose - Only 18 goals for Selanne. He used to get that many in a month. He's had a nine-game and a seven-game pointless streak, and his -7 is the worst on the team. A trade would help him a lot.

Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay - The next Michael Jordan already needs a comeback. He could get started as soon as after the Olympic break.

Jaromir Jagr, Washington - It's not as if he's having a terrible year, it's jut not good by his standards. The Caps are a team that has a history of going on a tear. If that happens down the stretch, Jagr will be a big part of it.

Olaf Kolzig, Washington - Same deal as Jagr, if the Caps go on a roll.

TEAM RANKINGS X 2

Outscoring their opponents nearly three to one in their past seven games, the Detroit Red Wings have earned the top spot on thehockeynews.com's weekly NHL Team Rankings.

The Philadelphia Flyers leap up four spots to second; the Chicago Blackhawks crack the top five in third; the Colorado Avalanche slip to fourth and the Toronto Maple Leafs drop to fifth overall.

Last week's rankings in parenthesis.

1. Detroit (1)

Good: Have earned at least one point in their last seven games (5-0-1-1) outscoring their opponents 26-10.

Bad: An injury to Steve Yzerman will put him out of action until mid-January.

Curious: Darren McCarty doubled his season output with a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over Minnesota.

2. Philadelphia (5)

Good: 11-4-0 record in December was the best in the league.

Bad: Brian Boucher had his first bad game in net when he was pulled after allowing three goals on nine shots against Phoenix.

Curious: The Flyers 2-1 win in Vancouver on a goal with three seconds remaining extended their unbeaten streak there to 12 games (8-0-4). They last lost there in 1989.

3. Chicago (6)

Good: 7-1 in their last eight games.

Bad: Steve Thomas returned to the lineup for just one game before breaking his ankle again. He is expected to be out for another three months.

Curious: The Blackhawks were 11-4-1 in December, yet only outscored their opponents by five goals, 47-42.

4. Colorado (3)

Good: A 9-3-3 December record, second best in the league to Philadelphia.

Bad: Chris Drury continues to struggle, with just one assist and three points in the entire month of December.

Curious: Lost two third period leads in the span of 1:21 to Nashville in a 4-4 tie.

5. Toronto (2)

Good: Toronto's power play scored 15 goals in December, compared to a combined total of 12 in the first two months.

Bad: The first place team in the Eastern Conference at the time, Toronto lost to the last place team (Atlanta) and the second last place team (Florida) on consecutive nights.

Curious: A three-game losing streak was only the second time this season Toronto had lost more than one in a row.

6. Boston (14)

Good: A five-game winning streak in which they outscored their opponents 24-8.

Bad: Kyle McLaren was injured yet again; this time he'll be out for about three months.

Curious: The Bruins, who failed to make the playoffs last season, are one point out of first place in the Eastern Conference.

7. San Jose (4)

Good: Are 6-1-1 in their last eight on the road.

Bad: Three losses in a row, and no wins in their last five (0-4-1).

Curious: The Sharks have lost their last three home games; they only had one regulation loss at home all season prior to those games.

8. NY Rangers (10)

Good: A 5-4 win in Los Angeles gave the Rangers their fifth win in six tries in the second game of a back-to-back situation.

Bad: Eric Lindros suffered his seventh concussion, although it was claimed to be just a minor one.

Curious: Manny Maholtra scored zero goals in his first 28 games, and then scored one in each of his next two.

9. St. Louis (9)

Good: The Blues have failed to earn at least a point just once in their last 11 homes games.

Bad: Just two wins in their last 14 on the road.

Curious: Four of the last five St. Louis victories have been shutouts.

10. Ottawa (8)

Good: Radek Bonk led the Senators with 17 points in December, double his previous output on the season.

Bad: Marian Hossa has just six points at home (25 on the road).

Curious: The Senators scored two shorthanded goals in 33 seconds in the last minute of their 5-2 win over the Islanders. Both goals were into an empty net.

11. NY Islanders (7)

Good: The Islanders are tied for the league lead (with Boston) with 10 shorthanded goals.

Bad: Blew a 5-1 lead at home against Montreal with less than half the game remaining and lost 6-5 in overtime.

Curious: After losing 5-2 to Ottawa, the Senators have just one win in their last 22 games against the Senators (1-15-6).

12. Carolina (17)

Good: The Hurricanes share first place in the Eastern Conference with 50 points.

Bad: Have allowed at least four goals in five of their last seven games.

Curious: Ron Francis is one goal away from becoming only the fifth player n NHL history to scored 500 goals and 1,000 assists.

13. Edmonton (11)

Good: Ryan Smyth is expected back by January 10.

Bad: The Oilers practiced on Christmas day. There's not a good enough reason for doing that, despite the fact the team voted on it.

Curious: The Oilers have won all five games in which the backup to Tommy Salo has started, outscoring their opponents 15-6.

14. Washington (15)

Good: Only two losses in their last 12 at home (7-2-3).

Bad: The Caps last regulation time road win was October 16.

Curious: The Caps have a 21-game unbeaten streak (18-0-3) against the Islanders, the longest current streak in the NHL.

15. New Jersey (16)

Good: The Devils have outshot their opponents in 20 of their last 21 games.

Bad: The Devils have won consecutive games just once since November 7 and 9.

Curious: The Devils are 5-1-2 in the second game of back-to-backs, but are just 2-4-2 in the first game.

16. Dallas (12)

Good: 9-1-1 in their last 11 on the road.

Bad: The Stars have lost 10 games at home (three in overtime), the same number they lost all of last season.

Curious: The Stars are 7-0-1 the last eight times they've played on New Year's Eve.

17. Calgary (13)

Good: Nine of the Flames 13 games in January are at home.

Bad: Wrist surgery for Derek Morris that will keep him out of the lineup for a month.

Curious: Marc Savard trade request, and subsequent healthy scratch. Savard was the Flames second leading scorer last year, but lost his first line status when he was injured, and hasn't been able to regain it with the No. 1 line being so productive.

18. Phoenix (21)

Good: A current three-game winning streak in which they've outscored their opponents 13-4.

Bad: Eight of 13 January games, including the final six, are on the road.

Curious: The Coyotes are 5-0-1 at home against the Eastern Conference, outscoring them 26-8.

19. Los Angeles (18)

Good: A 7-4-4 record in December.

Bad: The Kings allowed the most goals in 18 games in a 5-4 loss to the Rangers.

Curious: The Kings allowed only two power play goals in 61 chances in December, best in the league.

20. Nashville (19)

Good: Cliff Ronning tied the game up twice in the third period of a 4-4 tie with Colorado, in a minute and 21 seconds.

Bad: Mike Dunham got his first rest after 10 starts and the Predators suffered their worst defeat of the season, a 7-2 loss to St. Louis.

Curious: At the very least a contender for the best name in hockey, Bubba Berenzweig had the winning goal and two assists in a 3-2 overtime win over Detroit.

21. Montreal (20)

Good: Recovered from a 5-1 deficit to the Islanders to send the game in overtime. They lost 6-5, but still picked up a point.

Bad: Have been outshot in 10 straight games.

Curious: Nine of their first 12 games in December are on the road.

22. Anaheim (26)

Good: Excellent goaltending. The Ducks haven't allowed more than three goals in 16 straight games.

Bad: Over those same 16 games the Ducks have scored two or fewer goals in 12 of them.

Curious: The Ducks are 1-7-1 in the second game of back-to-back games.

23. Vancouver (27)

Good: Matt Cooke scored his first goal in 15 games.

Bad: The Canucks gave up a goal with 2.8 seconds left in the game to give the Flyers a 2-1 win.

Curious: The Canucks are winless at home to Philadelphia in 12 straight games (0-8-4) after losing to them 2-1.

24. Tampa Bay (23)

Good: Have won three of their last four on the road, after winning just three previously all season.

Bad: Have lost their last three at home (one in OT) after losing just twice at home in their previous 12.

Curious: The Lightning allowed a goal on the first shot against them in three consecutive games.

25. Pittsburgh (22)

Good: Mario Lemieux could return to the lineup soon.

Bad: One win in their last nine games (1-6-2)

Curious: The Penguins are on pace for 30 power play goals. Last season, they had 76.

26. Buffalo (25)

Good: Slava Kozlov finally got untracked and led the Sabres with 15 December points.

Bad: Slava Kozlov will be lost for two months with a torn Achilles' tendon.

Curious: The Sabres have just one regulation win in their last 11 games.

27. Florida (29)

Good: The Panthers were .500 in December with a 6-6-1 record.

Bad: A 7-1 loss to Boston was the worst home defeat in team history.

Curious: Bret Hedican had five points in his first 22 games; four points in his 23rd game.

28. Minnesota (24)

Good: Nine of the Wild's 15 games in January are at home.

Bad: The Wild were 2-9-2 in December (one of the losses was in OT), for the worst mark in the league.

Curious: All 61 home games in the Wild's two-year history have been sellouts.

29. Columbus (28)

Good: Ron Tugnutt is playing better and just missed a shutout against Anaheim when a power play goal was scored with less than two minutes remaining.

Bad: A 3-8-1 mark in December, and only 16 goals scored.

Curious: Have had four winless streaks of at least five games.

30. Atlanta (30)

Good: Had their highest offensive output of the season at home in a 5-4 win over Toronto.

Bad: Have allowed at least five goals in 12 games, most of any team.

Curious: All four Thrashers home wins, and six of their eight victories overall have been by one goal.

Watch out: the Sharks have some serious bite.

The San Jose Sharks, currently on a nine-game unbeaten streak, have played their way to the top of thehockeynews.com's weekly NHL Team Rankings.

The Toronto Maple Leafs hold on to second; the Detroit Red Wings fall from first to third; the Colorado Avalanche drop to fourth and the Philadelphia Flyers make an appearance in the top five in fifth place.

Last week's rankings in parenthesis.

1. San Jose (4)

Good: A nine-game unbeaten streak (8-0-1).

Bad: What can you find bad during a nine-game unbeaten streak?

Curious: With his 11th career shutout for the Sharks, Evgeni Nabokov set a franchise record, in his second season with the team.

2. Toronto (2)

Good: A five-game win streak in which they scored 26 goals.

Bad: Neither Mikael Renberg or Jonas Hoglund, Mat Sundin's first line mates, has a goal in December. Hoglund doesn't even have a point.

Curious: In their last six games, Toronto has scored 10 power play goals; in their previous 28 they scored 13.

3. Detroit (1)

Good: The season, until the last eight games, during which they have just one win.

Bad: The Red Wings are in last place in the league in winning percentage for December, with a 1-5-1 record. They've been outscored 17-5.

Curious: Manny Legace's undefeated streak ended at 19 games (17-0-2) in a 2-0 loss to Chicago.

4. Colorado (3)

Good: Are undefeated in their last six on the road and have lost just once in their last eight at home.

Bad: Alex Tanguay has not caught fire like many of his teammates during the recent Avalanche surge; he only has five goals on the season.

Curious: The Avalanche have not scored a goal five times that Patrick Roy has started in goal; Roy has six shutouts.

5. Philadelphia (7)

Good: The Flyers are 8-2 in the game following a loss and have outscored their opponents 37-15.

Bad: Only.500 home with a record of 7-7-2 (one of the losses was in OT).

Curious: Mark Recchi scored his 400th career goal, in a 6-3 victory over St. Louis.

6. Ottawa (9)

Good: The Senators continued their season home unbeaten streak (5-0-1) against the Western Conference with a 6-0 win over Phoenix. They have outscored Western Conference teams 21-7 at home and have three shutouts.

Bad: The absence of Daniel Alfredsson due to injury, although he is expected to return Saturday, December 22.

Curious: In consecutive games, the Senators outshot their opponent by the same 39-18 count. In the first one they beat Phoenix 6-0 and in the second they lost 2-0 to New Jersey.

7. NY Islanders (5)

Good: The Islanders are just four wins shy of their total of 21 for all of last season.

Bad: Two wins in the last nine games.

Curious: When the Islanders have had three or more days off they are 4-0-2 in their next game and have outscored their opponents 20-9.

8. Edmonton (6)

Good: The Oilers are undefeated in the second game of back-to-back games, with a 3-0-2 record.

Bad: The Oilers wait until Tommy Salo is tired and ineffective before giving him a rest, and then during the off-season will say they're going to get him more rest the next season.

Curious: Oilers backup goalie Jussi Markkanen was named to the Finnish Olympic team.

9. Chicago (13)

Good: Defeated Detroit 2-0 to bring their season record against the Red Wings to 2-0-1.

Bad: Penalty killing ranks 30th at home and 30th overall.

Curious: The Blackhawks are 1-5 in the second game of back-to-back games.

10. St. Louis (8)

Good: Have won seven of their last eight at home, outscoring their opponents 26-10. The other game was an overtime loss.

Bad: Doug Weight has just one goal in the last 15 games, and Mike Eastwood doesn't have a point in his last 19 games.

Curious: When they outshot Calgary 35-9, it marked the ninth time this season the Blues have held an opponent to under 20 shots, most in the league. St. Louis and Boston are the only two teams that have not been held to under 20 shots themselves.

11. Calgary (10)

Good: Jarome Iginla is on pace for 58 goals.

Bad: Only nine shots on net in a 4-0 loss to St. Louis.

Curious: Of the only four wins Roman Turek has since November 8 three of them have been by 2-0 scores.

12. NY Rangers (11)

Good: Are 9-3 (one OT loss) in their last 12 at home.

Bad: Have allowed 10 power play goals in December, most in the league, and 42 on the season, most in the league.

Curious: The Rangers are one of the most penalized teams in the league, and more than their share of tough guys, including Sandy McCarthy, Dale Purinton and Steve McKenna. So, why trade for Matthew Barnaby?

13. Washington (18)

Good: One loss in their last nine games at home, and one loss in their last eight overall.

Bad: Jaromir Jagr's two goals against Atlanta were his first two of December.

Curious: Craig Billington's 5-2 win over Atlanta, with Olaf Kolzig sidelined with a sprained ankle, was his first since last season.

14. Dallas (14)

Good: A current seven-game road winning streak.

Bad: Only two wins in their last 10 at home (2-5-3).

Curious: Steve Gainey, Bob Gainey's son, earned his first NHL point, an assist in a 4-3 loss to Calgary.

15. Boston (12)

Good: The Bruins lead the league in penalt-killing percentage and have allowed just one power play in December, on 27 opportunities.

Bad: Outshot Atlanta 55-14, yet still lost 3-2.

Curious: The Bruins have had nine games decided in overtime, most in the league.

16. New Jersey (17)

Good: Defeated Ottawa 2-0 to become the second last team to earn a shutout this season.

Bad: Losses to relatively weak teams, Columbus and Florida at home.

Curious: The 2-0 win in Ottawa was the 300th of Martin Brodeur's career.

17. Montreal (15)

Good: Rookie Mike Ribeiro has played well since being called up, with

Bad: A December home record of 1-4-1.

Curious: The Canadiens have not had a one-game losing streak; they've had a four game losing streak, two of three, and two of two, with one still current.

18. Carolina (20)

Good: 7-0 over Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh.

Bad: The Hurricanes power play percentage at home ranks 29th, ahead only Columbus.

Curious: In the Pittsburgh victory, Tom Barrasso shut out his former team the first time he had faced them in over 13 years when he was with Buffalo.

19. Phoenix (21)

Good: Seven wins in their last eight at home.

Bad: Allowed six goals in three consecutive games.

Curious: Sean Burke, one of the top netminders in the league this season, wasn't named to Canada's Olympic team.

20. Buffalo (19)

Good: Slava Kozlov has awoken from his slumber and leads the Sabres with nine points in December ­ two more than he had in October and November combined.

Bad: Lost the second game of a back-to-back contest for the eighth time this season.

Curious: Mika Noronen started two games in net, in place of Martin Biron, winning the first one, but then getting pulled in the second.

21. Los Angeles (26)

Good: A current four-game winning streak, and a six-game unbeaten streak.

Bad: The Kings are the only team in the league that does not have a shutout.

Curious: Defenseman Aaron Miller had no goals going into the Kings game against the Ducks; he had two goals in the game, included a shorthanded marker in overtime.

22. Nashville (24)

Good: Defenseman Andy Delmore, whose 12 goals leads the team.

Bad: A franchise-worst eight-game road winless streak, broken with a 4-2 win at the Rangers.

Curious: The nine-game home unbeaten streak (7-0-2) is a franchise best, and their next four games are at home.

23. Pittsburgh (16)

Good: The only bright spot of late has been the play of the line of Hrdina, Kovalev and Lang.

Bad: A three-game home losing streak in which they've been outscored 16-4.

Curious: The Penguins tied the team record for fewest shots in a game when they could manage just 11 in a 7-0 loss to Carolina.

24. Minnesota (22)

Good: Marian Gaborik is only three points shy of the 36 he earned last season when he led the team.

Bad: Only one win in December

Curious: Jim Dowd is first in league shooting percentage, and Andrew Brunette is a close third.

25. Tampa Bay (23)

Good: Nikolai Khabibulin, again, and again.

Bad: A 4-3 win in Montreal was just their second of the season in 12 road games in the Eastern Conference.

Curious: Six of the Lightning's 13 wins have come by shutout.

26. Vancouver (25)

Good: Shutout wins over Anaheim and Detroit.

Bad: Apart from the shutout wins, Dan Cloutier has been pulled in three of his other five most recent starts.

Curious: The win over Detroit in Vancouver was their first at home against the Red Wings since 1996.

27. Anaheim (27)

Good: The Ducks have earned at least a point in seven of their last nine games.

Bad: They've lost three overtime games in December alone.

Curious: The Mighty Ducks have lost eight games by the same 3-2 score.

28. Columbus (28)

Good: Ray Whitney has 19 points in 23 games for the Blue Jackets.

Bad: No power play goals in eight straight games.

Curious: The Blue Jackets haven't had as many as 30 shots in 13 straight games.

29. Florida (29)

Good: Consecutive wins over New Jersey and the Islanders were the first time all season the Panthers had won two games in a row.

Bad: Only Atlanta has fewer points.

Curious: Olli Jokkinen, poster boy for underachievement, was a surprise addition to the Finnish Olympic team.

30. Atlanta (30)

Good: Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk are first and second in rookie scoring.

Bad: The latest winless streak; this one six games (0-4-2).

Curious: The Thrashers are winless (0-4-1) the only five times they've outshot an opponent.

Material from The Hockey News.
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