Tough to unseat a team that didn't lose. The Coyotes didn't win, either, but nobody's perfect. Some tough choices this week, especially with the bottom four teams combining for a whopping six wins. The most disturbing thing -- perhaps of all time -- is seeing the bottom two this week. Say it ain't so, Harry.
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Team
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PVS
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W-L-T-OL
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ESPN.com says
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1. Coyotes
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1
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9-1-4-0
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Coyotes haven't allowed more than two goals in a game since Oct. 22.
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2. Blues
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3
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10-2-2-0
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Blues are unbeaten in last eight. But after a good rest, a road tour through Northwest Division will be a big test.
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3. Senators
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5
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8-1-4-0
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Alexei Yashin is generating a ton of chances (51 shots). When he finds his scoring touch, watch out.
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4. Avalanche
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2
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10-2-2-0
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All the Scott Parker shifts in the world won't replace Chris Drury and Adam Deadmarsh.
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5. Sharks
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8
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8-2-2-0
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Sensing a goalie controversy with Steve Shields' return? To say that the Sharks have allowed the second-fewest goals (23) in the league is mindboggling ... to the point of almost being disturbing.
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6. Stars
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7
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7-4-2-1
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This doesn't happen often: Tied for last in a division and ranked in the top 10. Pacific is that good.
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7. Maple Leafs
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9
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8-5-1-0
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Don't be too encouraged by the 7-1 drubbing of the Bruins, who might have trouble beating the Leafs' AHL team in St. John's.
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8. Red Wings
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6
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8-5-0-1
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Is anyone paying attention to these guys? Wings like it that way after getting spanked by the Hawks at home. Chris Chelios could not have been pleased.
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9. Devils
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4
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6-4-3-0
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Winless in last three and absolutely collapsed in Toronto. Let's hope coach Larry Robinson's tirade has the same effect as the one he had in the playoffs. |
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10. Oilers
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16
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9-5-2-0
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Last season, Oilers didn't win game No. 9 until Dec. 11.
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11. Kings
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13
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8-6-2-0
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Goaltending has been a problem, but lately just for opponents. In three wins, Jamie Storr has stopped 85 of 89 shots.
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12. Canucks
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12
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7-3-3-1
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It's now safe to say that goaltending is this team's biggest weakness.
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13. Sabres
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10
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6-4-1-1
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Sabres (1-5-0) need to win more on the road to catch up with Toronto and Ottawa. But four of their next five are at home, where Buffalo is undefeated (5-0-1).
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14. Penguins
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14
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6-5-2-0
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After playing Philly on Wednesday, next four opponents (Devils, Oilers, Avs, Blues) are a combined 35-13-9. |
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15. Rangers
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18
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6-7-0-0
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Maybe Steve Levy wasn't nuts in ESPN The Magazine when he predicted Theo Fleury (11 goals) would win the Maurice Richard Trophy.
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16. Flyers
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15
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4-6-4-0
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What's worse? Two games below .500, eight more goals against than for, losing home record (3-4-2) or last place in Atlantic. That's a tough one.
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17. Ducks
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11
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6-5-3-2
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Winless in last four. Next seven are against teams with winning records.
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18. Predators
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17
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5-3-4-1
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Let's hope Tomas Vokoun and Mike Dunham at least make sure one of them is healthy at all times. If not, Preds are in trouble.
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19. Islanders
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20
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5-4-2-1
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Don't be too jazzed up by Rick DiPietro's recall. His IHL GAA was close to 4.50, and we won't even show his save percentage.
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20. Lightning
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27
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4-7-1-1
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Maybe these guys do want Steve Ludzik to be their coach. Amid rumors of his imminent demise -- gotta love that phrase -- Lightning get fired up and win two in a row.
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21. Capitals
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23
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3-7-4-1
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Chris Simon in the lineup might not be enough. A change is needed, and trading Peter Bondra could be the jumpstart the Caps need.
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22. Hurricanes
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24
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3-7-3-0
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State of the Southeast: Canes are four games under .500 and two points out of first.
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23. Blackhawks
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29
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5-8-0-1
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Wow. The Hawks go on a winning streak before they've been mathmatically eliminated. That's new and different.
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24. Wild
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30
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3-8-3-0
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Another win vs. Calgary on Wednesday could lift the Wild out of the Northwest cellar.
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25. Thrashers
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25
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2-4-5-0
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From the unbelievable stat department: The Thrashers have scored 11 more goals than the Panthers in one less game.
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26. Blue Jackets
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28
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3-10-1-1
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If only the Blue Jackets could get their power play going. Down one goal to Edmonton on Sunday, the Blue Jackets couldn't connect on a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage and went 0-for-6 in the 4-2 loss.
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27. Panthers
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19
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1-5-3-3
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What's the over-under on the date Pavel Bure asks for a trade. The honeymoon is officially over, no matter how fun the nightlife is in Miami.
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28. Flames
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26
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3-9-2-1
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First team to lose to both expansion clubs.
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29. Canadiens
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21
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4-8-2-0
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Take solace. The Habs aren't the worst Original Six team in the league.
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30. Bruins
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22
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5-8-1-1
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The Bruins are. To "Slap Shot" paraphrase Anson Carter: "Trade me right &$%!@ now!"
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