Interestingly enough, the two most intriguing movers this week are Dallas and New Jersey, last year's Cup finalists. Both teams are on a roll, and look out for the Devils now that they have all their players on the ice. And keep an eye on Tampa Bay; the Lightning are one game under .500 and are playing good hockey since getting pasted by Dallas last Monday.
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Team
|
PVS
|
W-L-T-OL
|
ESPN.com says
|
|
1. Stars
|
5
|
13-5-3-1
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The Stars have allowed four goals during a five-game winning streak.
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2. Avalanche
|
3
|
16-4-3-0
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As injuries pile up, so do wins. Alex Tanguay-Joe Sakic-Milan Hejduk is as dangerous a line as there is.
|
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3. Blues
|
2
|
15-4-3-0
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Blues have scored 32 more goals than they have allowed. Scott Young finally scored goal No. 14.
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|
4. Devils
|
12
|
11-8-3-0
|
The Sharks-Devils game Saturday night might have been a foreshadowing of the Cup finals. Devils looked fast, deep ... and happy to be a family again. |
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5. Sharks
|
1
|
13-5-2-0
|
Sharks are legit but might need one more proven scorer to get over the hump in May-June.
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|
6. Red Wings
|
10
|
14-8-1-1
|
Six of their eight losses are at home. What's up with that, Joe?
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7. Maple Leafs
|
6
|
12-7-3-1
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The Leafs went after Ottawa in every way last Saturday and still couldn't beat them. Perhaps, it's a mental thing. The Sens could be in their kitchen, fryin' eggs.
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8. Canucks
|
4
|
12-7-3-2
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Last three games were one-goal losses. Don't kid yourself: Goaltending is an issue with Vancouver.
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9. Sabres
|
7
|
12-6-2-1
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Message to Mike Peca: Lower the price and take the incentives. Message to Darcy Regier: Raise your price and throw in more incentives. Just get it done.
|
|
10. Senators
|
14
|
12-7-4-0
|
The loss to Rangers isn't much to worry about, considering it came right off the heels of the emotional win in Toronto.
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|
11. Kings
|
8
|
11-7-6-0
|
From the "I'm not a coach but at least I know this" department: Give Jamie Storr a rest. He looks exhausted after starting his umpteenth game in a row.
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12. Coyotes
|
9
|
12-6-6-0
|
Phew! The Flyers win got plenty of Coyotes off the proverbial ledge. And plus, it's still too early for a Phoenix-style swoon.
|
|
13. Penguins
|
13
|
11-7-3-1
|
It's the season ... let it Snow, let it Snow, let it Snow. Garth has stoped 62 of his lat 64 shots faced. |
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14. Oilers
|
15
|
14-9-3-0
|
Insert Anson Carter for Bill Guerin and get the same results. Do you think Barry Melrose could score 20 if we put him next to Doug Weight and Ryan Smyth. |
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15. Flyers
|
11
|
10-9-4-0
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John LeClair is no Samson. Extra hair in his return didn't give him any extra strength against Phoenix.
|
|
16. Rangers
|
16
|
12-11-0-0
|
Brian Leetch (29 points in 23 games) is on pace for 100 points. Last defenseman to do that? Leetch in 1992.
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|
17. Lightning
|
18
|
8-9-2-2
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Next three are on road but against Isles, Caps and Thrashers. All winnable (is that a word?) games for the first-place Lightning.
|
|
18. Ducks
|
17
|
8-11-4-2
|
Steve Rucchin is out for two to four weeks. Just enough time to knock the Ducks down even farther in the standings.
|
|
19. Panthers
|
23
|
5-9-4-3
|
Slowly, every so slowly, the Panthers are climbing the Southeast mountain. Tight win over Tampa was a big one.
|
|
20. Hurricanes
|
20
|
8-10-3-1
|
Loss to Predators was ugly. Scouting report on Arturs Irbe: Get him to go down and then go high blocker side. If Randy Robitaille can do it twice, so can you.
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|
21. Capitals
|
24
|
6-10-6-1
|
Wednesday's game vs. Tampa Bay gets them back to where they need to be, namely at the top of the divsion.
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|
22. Predators
|
19
|
8-9-5-1
|
Preds couldn't muster one goal -- not one -- in consecutive home losses to St. Louis and Dallas, but they kicked the tar (7-4) out of Carolina on the road.
|
|
23. Wild
|
27
|
7-12-4-1
|
Home win over Canucks was huge. That type of game is so necessary to keep players and fans excited about a team that will lose close to half their games.
|
|
24. Blackhawks
|
25
|
7-12-2-2
|
Consistently inconsistent: Hawks have won consecutive games only once all season.
|
|
25. Thrashers
|
21
|
5-8-6-1
|
After allowing 14 goals in two losses last week, the Thrashers bounce back with impressive 2-1 win over Caps.
|
|
26. Bruins
|
29
|
7-11-3-2
|
Say what you want about guys in contract years. If Jason Allison was all about the points and the cash, he wouldn't have played hurt Sunday against the Kings.
|
|
27. Flames
|
26
|
5-11-5-4
|
Flames are not playing poorly. They just can't win. Calgary is winless in last seven but has allowed just eight goals in last four (0-1-2-1).
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|
28. Canadiens
|
30
|
6-15-2-0
|
Hey, at least they won a game. Monday against Atlanta (at home) is huge. A loss would be devastating.
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|
29. Blue Jackets
|
22
|
7-15-1-1
|
Only five goals during five-game losing streak. Jackets hope Alex Selivanov can be a spark.
|
|
30. Islanders
|
28
|
6-11-2-2
|
Last four losses in eight-game skid were by one goal. But bein' close ain't gonna cut it.
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