Along the boards

San Jose Sharks They might still need to make a deal to fill the void left by Vincent Damphousse's injury. But in the last week, the Sharks proved they can overcome adversity and still be a premier team. They've not only won three in a row, but also have defeated big-time opponents (Dallas, St. Louis) on the road. New York Rangers Too easy, you say? A team with this payroll and set of expectations cannot avoid the limelight, especially when it includes the glaring spotlight of a loss to the Islanders. There's talent on this team, but obviously, something is missing. Even their biggest detractors couldn't have imagined that the Rangers, at this juncture, would be seven games under .500 and nine points out of a playoff spot. Marc Crawford Despite what many consider to be average goaltending, the Canucks continue to win games. After a brutal stretch that included consecutive road losses in Colorado, St. Louis and Dallas, Crawford's relatively young team came home and spanked the Coyotes and then beat Calgary on the road. Crawford has done a commendable job mixing in his veterans and young players, and he'll have to continue to coach his butt off to keep up in the West. Billy Tibbetts Here's a guy who has overcome jail time and the stigma of being a sexual offender to make it to the NHL. Whatever your opinion is on whether he deserved his NHL shot, he might have jeopardized it Saturday. Tibbetts lost his cool against Atlanta and took a swing at Darcy Hordichuk, while Hordichuk was on his own bench. The mistake could cost Tibbetts a suspension and some cash, but image-conscious owner Mario Lemieux may decide it cost him his job in Pittsburgh. Home-and-home games Familiarity breeds contempt. Or something like that. The home-and-home series – even when it's not on consecutive nights – builds rivalries, which excites fans and brings out the best in players. Hot seat: Rangers GM Glen Sather. That's right. The Rangers stink, and the only players who should keep the real estate "For Sale" sign in the garage are Mark Messier and Brian Leetch. Perhaps, Valeri Kamensky and Mike Richter, too, because the Rangers may not find takers. Whoda thunk it?: Philly's Dan McGillis is tied with Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk, Theo Fleury and Doug Weight for OT goals with two. Who's grumpy: Milan Hejduk: 29 goals not enough to be Denver All-Star. Chris Drury: Has to watch with Hejduk, listen to complaints. Ed Belfour: That's something new and different. John Vanbiesbrouck: First the rumors, now the kid is in net. Understatement of the year: "It was nice to get a goal. I've had a lot of chances," – Kevin Stevens, who has gone from a player about to be released by the Flyers to playing on a line with Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr.

Hey, Mo!

No, we're not calling for a poke between the eyes on the "Three Stooges" or a beer from the bartender on the "The Simpsons."

We're talking momentum, and that's what the week leading into the All-Star break is all about. Having good or bad swings heading into the long weekend won't make or break a season, but it sure can have a significant impact. No team wants to limp into the playoffs – just ask Phoenix the last few years. And finishing the season hot – hello, 1999 Buffalo – assuredly carries over into the postseason.

Here are a few games this week with potential momentum swings at stake for the participants.

Monday: Toronto at St. Louis
The Maple Leafs are supposed to compete for the Cup this season – or at least fight for the finals out of the East. But since Christmas, the Leafs are 5-6-3-1 through Saturday and have fallen eight points behind Ottawa in the Northeast Division. Pointing to a game against the formidable Blues as a must-win is a bit much, but a win in St. Louis would be a huge confidence boost.

Meanwhile, the Blues might not have Chris Pronger for the short term, but at the moment, it doesn't seem like a major problem. The Blues have a five-point lead over Detroit in the Central and have played three fewer games. Toronto is in for a challenge because the Blues are 20-3-2-2 at home, despite a tough OT loss to San Jose on Saturday.

Tuesday: Dallas at Los Angeles
The Kings are three points behind Edmonton for the No. 8 spot in the West, yet have three games in hand. There are few easy games in the Pacific Division, so it's not like Dallas coming to town is any different than, say, San Jose or Phoenix. But like Toronto, a win over the two-time Cup finalist Stars might be the spark L.A. needs right now – especially considering the Stars are the start of a six-game homestand for the Kings, who are a so-so 9-8-4-1 at the Staples Center.

Wednesday: Philly at Pittsburgh
Believe it or not, the Flyers are right behind the Devils in the Atlantic. A winning march into the break ensures the chase will continue. Meanwhile, this game is a bit more important for the Penguins. The Pens will be coming off a home-and-home with Atlanta, and the Flyers game is the final one before the All-Star game, giving Pittsburgh a full week off before facing the Flyers again on Feb. 7. A three-win flurry can put the Pens on Philly's heels and also move the team up from the No. 7 spot in the conference standings.

Thursday: Dallas at San Jose
Ed Belfour's not happy. And the Stars won't be too far removed from losing to San Jose in Dallas on Friday night. The Stars know how precious the division title is and a four-point swing with a loss would mean a one-week, eight-point swing against the first-place Sharks. Both Sharks goaltenders have been playing well – Steve Shields has a 2.21 GAA and .926 save percentage in his last four starts.

Mailbag
Got a question? Send it in and Breakout will break it down.

Mike Encheff, Menlo Detroit, Mich.: The Red Wings are known for making shrewd trades at the deadline; however, with very little youth, and needing to keep their future draft picks, what moves might the Wings be looking to make this year?

Answer: The Red Wings might be in better shape for a trade than you think. When 100-percent healthy, several NHL-caliber players on the roster are forced to the press box. Right now, Detroit is relatively healthy with Chris Chelios the only major cog not currently playing. In recent games, 10 players -- Doug Brown, Mathieu Dandenault, Boyd Devereaux, Kris Draper, Steve Duchesne, Brent Gilchrist, Tomas Holmstrom, Larry Murphy, Pat Verbeek and Aaron Ward -- have attended games in street clothes.

Duchesne already has been mentioned in trade rumors, and he could help a playoff-bound team that might need a power-play boost. Perhaps, Verbeek could be dangled as well. Wouldn't it be interesting if Verbeek was packaged in a deal with Buffalo for Mike Peca. Or even a huge deal, bringing Dominik Hasek as well? The latter is a reach, but Peca could be a possibility if things remain at an impasse in Buffalo.

Detroit is in the Western Conference, making it a little easier for Sabres GM Darcy Regier to trade him to the Wings, and getting someone like Verbeek would be a big boost for the Sabres.

Brian A. Shactman covers the NHL for ESPN.com. He can be reached at brian.shactman@espn.com.