Got the holiday Blues? So does ESPN.com because we can't find any reason to bounce them from the top spot -- not that we felt compelled to try and do so. Who knows how good Philly can be, but it's clear that under new coach Bill Barber, they're playing a heck of a lot better.
ESPN.com's secret formula has taken it all in and spit it back out. To right any wrongs, click here and give us a few Rank Comments of your own.
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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. Blues
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1
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23-4-4-0
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So close to perfection. The question is whether GM Larry Pleau needs to do anything between now and March. |
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2. Devils
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3
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18-11-5-0
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Patrik Elias-Jason Arnott-Petr Sykora are, once again, the league's most dangerous line.
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3. Avalanche
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5
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23-7-5-0
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Avs finally get some points on homestand. After Tuesday in Nashville, Avs back home for four more.
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4. Senators
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2
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19-9-6-0
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Two ties and a home loss to the Hawks is no way to celebrate the holidays. Sens should score more vs. average teams.
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5. Sharks
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4
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21-8-4-0
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After winning in Detroit for just the second time ever, Sharks run out of gas on road. Patrick Marleau is only five goals from his career high of 21.
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6. Flyers
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9
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16-12-7-0
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Bill Barber carving out a winner. But Flyers still have too many question marks -- goalie, Eric Lindros, team speed, age ...
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7. Red Wings
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10
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21-12-3-2
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Three out of the past four games have been OT wins. No matter the competition, those wins are huge boosts ... but also mean more ice time for the old guys.
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8. Stars
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12
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19-10-4-1
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What a week. First, they allow 10 goals in two losses. Then, Stars score 11 in two wins. |
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9. Coyotes
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15
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16-8-8-1
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Let the trade rumors fly. Keith Tkachuk to Chicago? How about New York? Nikolai Khabibulin or Sean Burke? Paper or Plastic?
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10. Capitals
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14
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15-12-7-1
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Here's what it takes to be top dogs in Southeast: Be a few games over .500 and score just one more goal than you allow.
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11. Maple Leafs
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8
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18-10-4-3
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Finally, the skid has ended. But don't be too encouraged; it was a win over the Canadiens.
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12. Sabres
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11
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18-11-3-1
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Mike Peca's off to Switzerland but there's nothing neutral about this: They need him back before Feb. 1.
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13. Canucks
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7
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17-10-4-4
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Adam Deadmarsh wanted to fight Ed Jovanovski again? That might be as dumb as thinking the Felix Potvin-Bob Essensa tandem can take the Canucks too far.
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14. Penguins
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6
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14-14-6-1
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It might all change Wednesday, but right now, these guys stink. From the MOTO Dept. (Master of the Obvious): Garth Snow is not a No. 1 goalie.
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15. Kings
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13
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15-10-7-0
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Formula for disaster: 25 goals for + 19 goals against = 0-4-1 in past five.
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16. Thrashers
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16
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13-14-6-1
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One win away from matching last year's total. The reason? Andrew Brunette-Ray Ferraro-Donald Audette are a legit and elite forward line. Preds, Wild, Blue Jackets can't say that.
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17. Oilers
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18
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17-14-5-1
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Past three games went OT (1-1-1), so five-day holiday break is welcomed.
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18. Flames
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20
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11-15-7-4
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It's nice to be improving but early season start has them too far behind for it to matter.
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19. Ducks
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17
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13-17-4-4
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Guy Charron's coaching honeymoon lasted about 30 seconds ... maybe a little longer, but it certainly ended in Detroit and St. Louis. |
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20. Wild
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25
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10-17-6-2
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Historic victory against Dallas gives Wild dreaded C-bomb: Confidence.
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21. Predators
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24
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13-16-6-1
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Sure, David Legwand wanted to get home for Christmas after his historic penalty shot. Truth is, he wanted out of the building before the refs saw the replay on the soft call vs. the Rangers.
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22. Bruins
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22
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12-15-4-4
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A more patient Mike Keenan (we're not kidding) starting to yield results. But upcoming five-game trip vs. average competition could determine season. |
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23. Blue Jackets
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27
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11-20-3-2
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Odd Pattern Dept.: 2-0-1-0 three weeks ago, 0-2-0-1 two weeks back and 2-0-1-0 last week. We have no idea what it means. Aliens coming? Don Cherry coaching again?
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24. Blackhawks
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28
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13-18-2-2
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Beating the Sens on the road makes you shake your head. Look for GM Mike Smith to make major moves in the next month or so. Tony Amonte could be gone.
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25. Hurricanes
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19
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12-14-4-2
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No one -- repeat, no one -- has scored fewer goals in the East than Carolina's 74.
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26. Rangers
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21
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16-18-1-1
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It's amazing what a face-lift can do. Face can look better but body is just as old.
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27. Lightning
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23
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10-17-4-2
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Next four at home could determine whether Lightning can make a legit run in the Southeast.
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28. Islanders
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26
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10-18-4-2
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Worst headline of the year after Charles Wang gave a pregame speech before a recent win: "Isles Win One for the Wanger."
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29. Canadiens
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30
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10-22-4-0
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Sacre bleu! These guys stink.
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30. Panthers
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29
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6-17-7-5
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Hey, it's a rule. You can't fire a family member over the holidays.
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