Colorado is missing three of its best players, and the Avs still found a way to kick a little tail. Joe Sakic has been the catalyst, and he'll have to play even better if the Avs expect to maintain their perch at the top. And if you're looking for Florida, fish way down South.
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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. Avalanche
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4
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12-2-3-0
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Avs haven't missed a beat without Adam Deadmarsh and Chris Drury. But how will they deal with Peter Forsberg's absence?
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2. Blues
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2
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11-2-3-0
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The Blues are an astonishing 62-22-14 in the regular season the past two years.
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3. Red Wings
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8
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10-5-1-1
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Detroit earned five of six points on recent trip out West. But what is up with Larry Murphy and his minus-9?
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4. Coyotes
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1
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10-3-5-0
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Can't win 'em all ... but try not to lose to expansion teams. It's bad for your skin.
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5. Sharks
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5
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10-3-2-0
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Best recipe to alleviate goalie questions? Have your veteran No. 1 guy lose to an expansion team and then have your hot-shot rookie put the team back in the win column.
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6. Stars
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6
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8-4-2-1
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Hitting the road for three games in four days. And don't look past Blue Jackets, who just beat Phoenix and San Jose in Columbus.
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7. Senators
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3
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9-4-4-0
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What's a bad week? Losing three games to teams with aggregate records of 17-23-9-1.
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8. Maple Leafs
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7
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9-6-2-0
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Leafs were inches away from another tragedy with a player getting hit in the face and hope Sundin isn't out too long.
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9. Sabres
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13
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8-4-1-1
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Opponents once again wishing Dominik Hasek was back in the Czech Republic raising his family.
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10. Penguins
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14
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9-5-2-0
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Hey, it doesn't even matter if the coach and star argue. Just win, baby! (Anyone know how to say that in Czech?) |
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11. Kings
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11
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9-6-4-0
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Kings haven't lost this month and have next three at home. This Saturday vs. Colorado should be a good one.
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12. Flyers
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16
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6-7-4-0
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Perhaps, Flyers are starting to get a few bounces. If they get through the first half in decent shape, this team could really crank it up after Christmas. IF.
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13. Rangers
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15
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8-8-0-0
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Beat somebody good, will ya!
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14. Predators
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18
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6-4-5-1
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The Preds actually lead the league in a category: Ties (5). Ironically, they're tied for the lead with Phoenix.
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15. Oilers
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10
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10-8-2-0
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Must get the other three lines producing better. Outside of Bill Guerin and Doug Weight, the Oilers need more pop.
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16. Canucks
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12
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8-5-3-1
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Have Daniel and Henrik hit the wall already? They have combined for three points this month.
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17. Devils
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9
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6-7-3-0
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Is the team conspiring to foil GM Lou Lamoriello's stance with Jason Arnott and Scott Niedermayer? Can't be too far fetched with underpaid employees (Petr Sykora, Patrik Elias) on the roster. |
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18. Hurricanes
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22
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5-8-3-0
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That's whut I'm talkin' 'bout (Shane) Willis! Canes beat Leafs and Sens at home by a combined 7-1.
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19. Lightning
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20
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5-8-1-1
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From the MOTO (master of the obvious) Dept.: Get a goalie! Team stats are 4.02 GAA and .880 save pct.
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20. Ducks
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17
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6-8-3-2
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It's November, and Ducks are flying south ... in a hurry.
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21. Blue Jackets
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26
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5-10-1-1
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No one says they're good, but Jackets are far from being the worst. And it's taken no time to develop a home-ice advantage.
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22. Islanders
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19
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6-6-2-1
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Brad Isbister. Brad Isbister. Brad Isbister. The more I say his name, the more his last name sounds really strange.
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23. Capitals
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21
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3-8-5-1
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Everyone keeps saying: "The Caps will snap out of it." Will they?
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24. Flames
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28
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5-9-3-1
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Valeri Bure (3-7-10) starting to perk up -- as are the Flames.
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25. Bruins
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30
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6-8-2-1
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Would be nice to be a fly on the wall for any Joe Thornton-Mike Keenan closed-door talk. Thornton has played with more fire since Keenan's arrival.
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26. Blackhawks
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23
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5-9-1-2
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Do you think Denis Savard could un-retire and pitch in? Last Hall of Famer to do that was Guy Lafleur ... and it didn't work out too well.
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27. Wild
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24
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4-10-3-1
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I bet the Jamie McLennan vs. Maxim Sushinsky tussle was more exciting than Lewis-Tua. And hockey practices don't charge admission or PPV fees.
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28. Thrashers
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25
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2-5-6-0
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Thrashers still without a home win.
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29. Canadiens
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29
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5-10-2-0
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Too bad they can't play the Panthers 82 times.
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30. Panthers
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27
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1-6-4-3
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Too bad they can't play the Albany River Rats 82 times.
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