Maybe it was the four All-Stars that gave us the idea to move the Avalanche into the No. 1 spot – either that or their four wins last week. We'll go with the latter. They've lost only once in regulation in their last 16 games, and they've done it without Adam Foote. That's where those four All-Stars come in handy (yes, we know, Milan Hejduk should be the fifth).
ESPN.com's secret formula has taken it 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. Avalanche
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2
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32-8-8-1
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Let's call it the JAM line (Joe-Alex-Milan) and get it over with.
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2. Devils
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1
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25-12-9-0
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Martin Brodeur can't play every game, can he?
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3. Senators
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9
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26-13-6-1
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Words not often seen in the same sentence: Wade Redden, offensive defenseman.
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4. Red Wings
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5
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27-15-4-4
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Road trip starts with three wins, ends with two losses. Was it the plane scare or the hiatus in Scottsdale?
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5. Blues
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4
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31-10-4-1
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Post-Dispatch headline: "With Pronger out, Blues are a team in peril" They wrote it, not us. We just happen to agree.
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6. Sharks
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3
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26-13-7-0
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There isn't enough playoff cushion to absorb a winless streak and the loss of Vincent Damphousse.
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7. Stars
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6
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27-15-4-1
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There isn't enough playoff cushion to absorb poor defensive play and poor goaltending.
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8. Flyers
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8
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22-15-9-1
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The bad news: The Flyers will be without John LeClair for a while longer. The good news: They never missed him in the first place.
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9. Penguins
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10
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22-18-6-2
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Skating on a line with Mario would rejuvenate anyone's career. Quick, someone call Rob Brown.
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10. Sabres
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12
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24-16-5-1
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Lindy Ruff alleviates the tension by donning Dominik Hasek's pads at practice. Mark that down as a turning point.
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11. Maple Leafs
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13
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22-15-7-4
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The play of Curtis Joseph is masking some serious flaws.
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12. Kings
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14
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22-17-7-1
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Rob Blake's Saturday night: a power-play goal, a plus-3 rating and a fight. Ka-ching.
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13. Coyotes
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17
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22-13-11-1
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Team bus left for the airport without Daniel Briere. Keep scoring Daniel, eventually they'll realize when you're missing.
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14. Capitals
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11
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20-18-8-1
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There's a major Hurricane watch in D.C.
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15. Canucks
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7
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24-16-4-4
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Brian Burke isn't giving up on Felix Potivn. With the dearth of quality goalies, he may not have a choice.
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16. Oilers
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19
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23-20-6-1
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Mike Comrie's first NHL goal came in his ninth NHL game – reportedly the longest drought of his career. Welcome to the NHL, Mike.
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17. Blackhawks
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15
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20-21-4-2
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Owners lift local blackout so fans can watch a 4-0 loss to the Penguins. Now there's a treat.
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18. Bruins
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16
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18-18-6-5
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Some of us were flipping between B's-Devils and NYPD Blue and missed the win. Give us a break, they were losing to the Cup champs.
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19. Flames
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18
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16-18-9-4
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When Jarome Iginla was envisioning his most productive night ever, was blood involved?
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20. Hurricanes
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20
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20-17-6-2
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The 'Canes last nine-game unbeaten streak was March of 1985 – when they were the Whalers.
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21. Predators
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21
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19-22-7-2
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The Predators are holding on to Mike Dunham. It will be interesting to see if they loosen their grip before March 13.
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22. Wild
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22
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16-22-8-2
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Sean O'Donnell, master of the obvious, on New Jersey: "They're like a much more talented Minnesota Wild."
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23. Rangers
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26
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19-24-3-1
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Trade rumors swirl and the Rangers go unbeaten in four. Nothing like a little drama for motivation.
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24. Canadiens
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24
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15-25-5-3
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Now Brian Savage is out with a broken thumb. Someone call off their season and hand them Jason Spezza.
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25. Blue Jackets
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27
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15-26-4-3
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Good news: Jackets are beating teams they should. Bad news: It's a short list.
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26. Thrashers
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23
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15-22-9-1
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Any combination of Donald Audette or Andrew Brunette out of the lineup is bad news.
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27. Ducks
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25
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15-25-6-4
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Rumor mill has Guy Hebert and Teemu Selanne turning in their mouse ears before the end of the season.
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28. Islanders
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29
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12-28-5-2
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The Islanders got snubbed with no All-Stars. But when you're the Islanders, can you really be snubbed?
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29. Lightning
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28
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13-27-5-2
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After four losses on a four-game road trip, the Lightning are in no mood for a Super Bowl party.
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30. Panthers
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30
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9-25-8-6
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So spent – or stunned – after a 2-0 win over Dallas, it took the Panthers two more games to score another goal.
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