The Blackhawks, Rangers and Canadiens have been the posterchildren for upward mobility over the last week. Detroit held on to the top spot by virtue of capturing five of a possible six points on the road.
Though both the Rangers and Canadiens beat the Islanders, the Canadiens moved 10 spots while the Rangers moved up only five. Why? Because Mike Richter and Mike York are still the only Rangers who play defense (a case can be made for a few more players, but not many) and it's more difficult to gain ground at the top. As the real estate improves, so does the company.
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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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14-3-0-1
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With three games in four nights, fading isn't a cause for concern...yet.
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2. Flames
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3
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12-2-1-2
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Last season, Calgary didn't win its 12th game until Dec. 29.
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3. Blackhawks
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5
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12-4-3-0
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Chicago's 9-0-2-0 record at home is its longest home unbeaten streak to start a season since 1971-72 when they went 15-0-2.
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4. Maple Leafs
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4
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9-4-2-2
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The line of Tie Domi, Shayne Corson and Darcy Tucker isn't exactly deployed on peace-keeping missions.
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5. Islanders
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2
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11-3-1-1
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How the Islanders rebound from two straight losses will mean more than their 11-1-1-1 start.
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6. Blues
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6
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9-4-3-0
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For a natural right winger, Pavol Demitra is doing a pretty good imitation of a center.
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7. Sharks
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7
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8-4-4-2
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Bryan Marchment can't understand why he got six-games for elbowing Shane Willis into oblivion. Short memories must be nice.
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8. Oilers
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8
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11-5-2-1
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The Oilers are 10-0-0-0 when they score first.
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9. Devils
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9
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8-4-1-1
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Martin Brodeur on playing the Leafs: "Personally, it's a lot more fun to play these guys than the Rangers." We think so, too.
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10. Flyers
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10
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8-5-3-0
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Who needs the Eric Lindros saga when there's good ol' fashion internal bickering to keep things lively?
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11. Hurricanes
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12
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10-6-2-2
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They didn't have a busy offseason, but signing Tom Barrasso was the Hurricanes' best move.
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12. Senators
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13
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9-6-1-0
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Granted they are only 10 years old, but the Senators had never won six straight before last week.
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13. Rangers
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18
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11-7-1-0
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They've won five straight and are four games above .500 for the first time since 1996-97, but they're still a work in progress on defense.
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14. Bruins
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11
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7-5-3-2
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Note to Bruins: You have to show up, even against the expansion teams.
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15. Stars
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14
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5-6-4-3
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At minus-12, Richard Matvichuk has the worst plus-minus in the league for a defenseman.
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16. Canadiens
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26
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7-7-2-1
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The jury is still out, deciding how good the Habs really are.
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17. Sabres
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17
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7-8-1-1
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Vaclav Verada has been suspended for charging Jose Theodore and high-sticking Eric Lindros. Is there a Bryan Marchment wannabe contest we don't know about?
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18.Penguins
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15
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6-7-2-2
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J.S. Aubin's last win was a 6-3 win over Calgary -- on March 10.
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19. Coyotes
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19
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6-6-3-2
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Radoslav Suchy tied Carolina's Steven Halko among active players for the longest streak from the start of a career without scoring a goal.
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20. Canucks
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23
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7-11-1-0
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You know your best years are behind you when you're being traded for draft picks.
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21. Wild
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21
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6-6-3-1
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Dwayne Roloson made 53 saves against Boston. Manny Fernandez allowed five goals by Vancouver. Can you say: No more goalie controversy?
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22. Avalanche
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16
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7-10-1-0
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The Avs have been shutout five times in 18 games this season. They were shutout three times all of last season.
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23. Capitals
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20
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6-9-2-0
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The Caps are in bigger trouble without Calle Johansson than they are without Jaromir Jagr.
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24. Mighty Ducks
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22
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6-8-3-0
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From the Bad News Is Good News Dept.: The last two seasons the Ducks were below .500 in Oct. they made the playoffs.
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25. Kings
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27
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5-9-1-2
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The Kings did get Jason Allison in that trade with the Bruins, right? Just checking.
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26. Predators
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24
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5-10-2-0
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Mike Dunham isn't acting like an Olympic goaltender.
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27. Panthers
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28
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4-8-2-2
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Responsible for Philly's winning goal, Marcus Nilson greeted the media after the game with: "I'm right here." No word if his professional athlete membership card will be revoked.
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28. Lightning
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25
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5-9-1-1
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Vincent Lecavalier for Tony Amonte. Far fetched? Maybe, but we're bored.
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29. Blue Jackets
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30
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3-10-4-0
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Dave King on the Jackets' woes at home: "Right now our home record is uncomfortable." Uncomfortable wasn't the first adjective that came to our heads.
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30. Thrashers
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29
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3-10-1-2
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Is losing Jeff Odgers to injury that devastating?
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