Talk about a turnaround. In their three regulation losses and one overtime loss to open the season, the Devils allowed 19 goals. In their four straight wins, they've allowed just five. With defensive signs pointing to the Devils returning to their old selves -- and a waiver on the two-scoring line minimum for a top 10 team -- the Devils rise from No. 22 to No. 8 in this weeks rankings.
And the Blackhawks can no longer be ignored -- although their fans continue to try and do so. Wins over Colorado and Calgary were convincing -- to a point. Hold off on the arguments they should be ranked higher than the Flames. This isn't college football.
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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. Islanders
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1
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8-0-1-1
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Forget the Cup for a second. The question is: Will all this winning translate into a new building?
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2. Red Wings
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2
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9-2-0-0
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A top line of Brett Hull, Steve Yzerman and Luc Robitaille? Pinch us.
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3. Flames
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3
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8-2-0-2
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Three of Craig Conroy's five goals are game winners.
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4. Maple Leafs
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7
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6-3-1-1
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Wayne Gretzky was in town for both of Cujo's shutouts last week. Just in case you were wondering.
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5. Blackhawks
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19
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6-3-3-0
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How focused are the Hawks? As Kyle Calder told the Daily Herald: "I'm not here for the chicks. I'm here to play hockey." That focused.
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6. Oilers
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4
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8-4-1-0
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No truth to the rumor the Oilers discovered a new game called "Tackle the Guy in the Goofy Equipment."
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7. Blues
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5
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4-3-3-0
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From smoking the Rangers to folding against the Senators. Not good.
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8. Devils
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22
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4-3-0-1
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The Devils are the least penalized team in the league. Talk about irony.
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9. Stars
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9
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4-3-2-2
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The Stars aren't built for pond hockey.
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10. Sharks
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10
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4-3-3-1
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Are we home yet?
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11. Avalanche
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12
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7-5-0-0
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You can't ignore a 3-1 week, but a 1-0 loss at Phoenix? Please.
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12. Bruins
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11
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5-3-3-1
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Like Bill Guerin said: Count your blessings and move on.
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13. Flyers
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8
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4-3-3-0
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Keith Primeau's first official act as captain -- explain a 7-2 loss to Ottawa.
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14. Hurricanes
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16
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6-4-0-2
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In the midst of a 2-for-46 slump on the power play, the Canes may consider declining penalties for a while.
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15. Sabres
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13
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5-5-1-1
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Buffalo Sabres 2, Montreal goalies 0
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16. Senators
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18
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5-6-1-0
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Beating the Flyers and Blues is one of the better ways to emerge from a slump.
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17. Capitals
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17
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5-5-1-0
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1-1-1-0 on the Southeast Expansion Tour. And the Caps are a Cup favorite?
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18. Rangers
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14
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5-5-1-0
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Good news: Brian Leetch is plus-2. Bad news: The Rangers have allowed the most goals in the East.
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19. Penguins
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23
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4-5-1-1
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Pittsburgh could end up giving "penguin plunge" a whole new meaning.
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20. Coyotes
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20
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4-3-2-1
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Note to the rest of the NHL: Don't overlook the Coyotes.
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21. Lightning
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21
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4-5-1-0
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You know it's too early to start thinking playoffs when your $4 million goalie is pulled against the Thrashers.
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22. Canadiens
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15
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5-4-1-0
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No truth to the rumor the NHL is allowing the Canadiens to dress three goalies from now on.
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23. Wild
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6
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3-2-3-1
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Sure, it's only two losses. But they were doozies.
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24. Thrashers
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24
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3-3-1-2
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Ray Ferraro to the Journal-Constitution on Ilya Kovalchuk's success: "I'm not sure he knows it's the NHL."
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25. Mighty Ducks
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25
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4-6-1-0
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Paul Kariya's slump is doing a number on fantasy team owners.
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26. Canucks
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28
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3-8-1-0
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Last season, it took the Canucks until Nov. 30 to lose eight games in regulation.
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27. Predators
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29
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3-6-2-0
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In case you're wondering, Vladimir Orszagh's last name is pronounced OHR-sahk and he leads the team in scoring.
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28. Kings
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27
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3-6-1-2
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Seven of the Kings' eight losses have been by one goal. The jury has yet to decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
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29. Panthers
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30
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2-6-2-1
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Thank God for the Kings...and the Blue Jackets.
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30. Blue Jackets
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26
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1-6-4-0
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The top line of Geoff Sanderson-Espen Knutsen-Robert Kron has combined for three goals -- all by Sanderson. Enough said.
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