| Team | PVS | W-L-T-RT | Odds | ESPN.com says | 
| 1.   Wings | 2 | 31-16-6-1 | Even | Despite recent mediocrity, '99 failure a pause for this dynasty's swan song, which should end with a title. | 
| 2.   Devils | 4 | 33-15-5-4 | 5-2 | So good. But peaking too soon? Coach should give Martin Brodeur more of a rest down the stretch. | 
| 3.   Blues | 1 | 33-14-6-0 | 3-1 | If any team is set to do more than in the past, it's this bunch. No one will want to play them in the playoffs. | 
| 4.   Flyers | 7 | 26-15-10-1 | 3-1 | It's make or break for Philly, and if Eric Lindros is broken in any way, fuuhhhhhgedahboudit. | 
| 5.   Stars | 6 | 29-19-5-2 | 4-1 | Can Kirk Muller and Scott Thornton make up for Pat Verbeek's absence? It'll be close. | 
| 6.   Avalanche | 17A | 26-20-8-1 | 8-1 | Everyone's waiting for this team to bust out. Peter Forsberg's health may be in doubt all season. | 
| 7.   Leafs | 5 | 30-18-6-3 | 10-1 | Why does everyone underrate this team? Playoffs are like a mutual fund disclaimer: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. | 
| 8.   'Yotes | 8 | 29-18-6-1 | 10-1 | If the Keith Tkachuk debacle gets settled, it's a maybe. Trading him would be worse than trying to make him happy. | 
| 9.   Panthers | 9 | 30-18-4-3 | 12-1 | Without a healthy Bure, the odds more than quadrouple. The odds of him getting hurt are factored into this number. | 
| 10. Capitals | 3 | 25-18-8-1 | 15-1 | Definitely sold on the solid play and heart of this team, but not enough ammo to make a serious run. | 
| 11. Penguins | 21 | 23-25-4-5 | 15-1 | Hiring of Czech coach one of the most creative front-office moves in years. A content Jaromir Jagr is a dangerous one. | 
| 12. Sabres | 23 | 21-25-7-1 | 15-1 | With Dominik Hasek or new talent through a trade, they'll be better. If they get in, Sabres will be tough once again. | 
| 13. Senators | 17B | 25-19-9-2 | 50-1 | Vanilla. Beige. Senators. Bland. Also, Magnus Arvedson will be missed and likely won't be back soon. | 
| 14. Kings | 17F | 23-21-7-3 | 75-1 | Health is a concern, but Kings could be a sleeper with better odds if goaltending has strong finish. | 
| 15. Flames | 17C | 23-24-6-2 | 89-1 | Start of a string of sentimental odds. Last Cup win was 1989. Same will be said next summer. | 
| 16. Oilers | 17D | 18-22-13-7 | 90-1 | Say a quick prayer for these guys to make it. Oilers always make the playoffs fun. | 
| 17. Rangers | 17E | 23-23-7-3 | 94-1 | Until Rangers knock off juggernauts like Philly and New Jersey, few will put money on this pricey bet. | 
| 18. Ducks | 17G | 22-24-8-1 | 100-1 | Two men does not a title make. Wasn't the power play supposed to be even better with Oleg Tverdovsky? | 
| 19. Sharks | 28 | 22-27-7-7 | 80-1 | You can't completely give up on these guys. Sharks are another spoiler-type team that others want to avoid. | 
| 20. 'Canes | 18 | 21-25-8-0 | 150-1 | If Carolina can't get back to .500, they'll be competing with the Isles for late-season attendance numbers. | 
| 21. Bruins | 17H | 18-22-14-4 | No line | Last hope is that Jason Allison has a miraculous recovery. | 
| 22. Predators | 22 | 20-28-6-4 | 314-1 | Preds aren't going to make it, but several playoff teams will breath a collective sigh of relief. | 
| 23. Canadiens | 19 | 18-26-7-2 | 331-1 | See above. | 
| 24. 'Hawks | 20 | 18-28-7-2 | 400-1 | Tony Amonte and Doug Gilmour are two guys everyone would like to see on a competitive team. It won't happen this season. | 
| 25. Islanders | 24 | 13-33-6-1 | 499-1 | In an era where pro sports ownership is in high demand, Isles look like a used puck bag on sale for millons. | 
| 26. Canucks | 25 | 15-27-10-6 | 500-1 | First Mark Messier pun of the year: What a Mess; he'll be gone before it's over. | 
| 27. Lightning | 26 | 12-33-6-5 | No line | This team would like to strike at least once. | 
| 28. Thrashers | 27 | 11-35-6-4 | No chance | Thrashing can be a desperation move before drowning. |