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Team
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Pvs.
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W-L-T-OL
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The skinny
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1. Red Wings
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1
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32-8-3-2
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You know rookie center Pavel Datsyuk is the real deal when he can stand out in that lineup.
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2. Flyers
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3
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25-12-5-1
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Eric who?
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3. Bruins
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4
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25-13-3-4
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The Bruins' toughest opponent right now is the flu.
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4. Blues
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11
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23-12-6-3
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In their last five games, the Blues are 5-0-0-0 and Chris Pronger is 1-8-9 with a plus-9. Think they're related?
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5. Maple Leafs
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5
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25-13-5-3
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Telltale sign: The Leafs are concerned about upcoming games against Atlanta and Nashville.
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6. Blackhawks
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2
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26-14-8-0
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The Hawks have allowed seven power-play goals in their last three games.
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7. Avalanche
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7
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24-16-6-0
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Sure, the Avs have the resources to make a trade to compensate for the loss of Peter Forsberg, but at some point the prospect well is going to dry up.
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8. Stars
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13
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21-14-6-4
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Mike Modano may not be carrying the Stars. But after watching him score seven of the team's 10 goals in its past four games, it seems like it.
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9. Oilers
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6
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23-15-7-2
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Letting Ryan Smyth sit out more games to allow his ankle to heal more wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
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10. Senators
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14
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24-15-4-2
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After playing the Flyers three times and the Bruins twice in a span of 15 days, the Sens should get a pretty good idea where they stand.
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11. Sharks
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8
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22-13-6-3
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The Sharks have worn their black jerseys in five home games -- averaging just 1.6 goals and losing the past four, including 3-2 to L.A. on Saturday, according to the Mercury News. Proof that there is a reason for everything.
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12. Islanders
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10
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22-15-5-2
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Isles coach Peter Laviolette, this week's Master of the Obvious, in Newsday: "If you don't keep winning you slip down that ladder very quick."
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13. Rangers
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9
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22-19-3-3
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Six games, no wins, out scored 24-6, 1-for-28 on the power play...shall we continue?
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14. Devils
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12
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19-18-5-2
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The Devils haven't won more than two games in a row since stringing together six from Oct. 18-Nov. 1.
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15. Hurricanes
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15
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21-17-5-5
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A 7-1 loss to the Canucks is what happens when you're a team that has to work hard every shift and you don't.
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16. Kings
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18
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19-17-7-2
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We hate to be killjoys -- really, we do -- but even after a 4-1-0 road trip, there's still work to be done.
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17. Flames
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16
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19-16-8-2
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Derek Morris is expected back this week. Considering the Flames lost only two games with him, and have won only five without him, that qualifies as good news.
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18. Wild
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20
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16-19-8-3
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After Manny Fernandez stopped 53 of 58 shots in three games, we thought he was back. Then he allowed three goals against Dallas on 16 shots. How about almost back?
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19. Canadiens
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19
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18-19-6-2
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After watching Patrick Traverse get drilled into the glass, replacing it will be the best move the Habs have made in years.
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20. Capitals
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21
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18-20-8-0
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When in doubt, go with three defensemen on the ice.
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21. Coyotes
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17
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18-17-6-3
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With Sean Burke out with a groin strain, now might be the time to point out that Robert Esche is 2-5-0 with a 3.54 GAA and a .872 save percentage.
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22. Canucks
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22
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19-23-4-1
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Marc Crawford after Saturday's 7-1 win over Carolina: "We didn't have a poor performance in our whole lineup." There's always tomorrow.
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23. Predators
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23
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16-20-8-0
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Petr Tenkrat has 14 points in his last 13 games.
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24. Sabres
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25
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18-22-4-1
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Martin Biron to the Buffalo News: "I know I can stop pucks. I know I can play goal." And doggone it, people like me.
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25. Lightning
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24
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16-22-4-2
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The Lightning have scored only 20 first-period goals, the fewest in the league.
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26. Penguins
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27
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16-21-5-2
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No truth to the rumor the Penguins' motto is: Shut out or be shut out.
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27. Panthers
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26
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14-25-3-3
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The only way Mike Keenan will continue with the franchise is if he's named GM. It's the only way we would.
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28. Blue Jackets
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28
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12-25-6-1
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Four goals in a game two weeks ago. Five goals in a game last week. Pretty soon, they'll be clamoring to break up the Jackets.
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29. Thrashers
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30
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10-27-6-3
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Unbeaten in three. Who's bringing the chips?
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30. Mighty Ducks
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29
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13-25-6-3
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Badly in need of depth, the Ducks have contacted Disney on Ice promoters to inquire about Goofy's availability. Although, our inside contacts say Donald Duck is better.
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