The Wings take over first place from the Leafs, who followed up a five-game winning streak with a loss to L.A., and a tie and a one-goal win over Buffalo. While our formula is sympathetic to back-to-back games, it's got little give against a team that has allowed the fifth most goals in the Eastern Conference.
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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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2
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26-8-2-1
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After scoring just once in four games, the Red Wings allow just one in three. Is there an on/off switch to this thing?
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2. Avalanche
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4
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21-13-4-0
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Their opponents' combined winning percentage during their 11-1-3-0 streak is .505 -- and that includes the Red Wings.
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3. Maple Leafs
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1
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21-9-3-3
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With four of their defensemen headed to Salt Lake City, their upcoming sweep through the Southleast Division is the perfect time to stockpile some points.
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4. Sharks
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3
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18-8-6-3
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A 3-0 loss at Detroit wasn't the best way to end a franchise-best six-game road winning streak.
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5. Flyers
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11
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18-10-5-1
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Donald Brashear was named the No. 2 star in his second game with the Flyers. Who said he wouldn't fit in?
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6. Bruins
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12
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18-10-3-4
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Stop us if you've heard this before: The Bruins are good enough to contend, but not good enough to win it all.
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7. Islanders
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10
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18-10-5-2
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Sure they'll be better with Tony Amonte or Bill Guerin, but will acquiring them be too much too fast?
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8. Oilers
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5
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19-12-5-2
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The Oilers are 4-1-0-1 when they wear their third sweater.
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9. Rangers
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9
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20-14-3-2
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New-found team chemistry will come in handy on season-long seven-game road trip.
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10. Blackhawks
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13
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19-12-8-0
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Brian Sutter to the Chicago Tribune: "I also told them weak-minded players and weak-minded teams don't play well this time of year." We get the feeling Alpo Suhonen never gave speeches like that.
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11. Stars
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6
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16-11-6-3
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Beating Columbus and Atlanta on the road is nice; beating San Jose and Philadelphia is necessary.
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12. Senators
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7
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18-13-4-0
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The Senators haven't won two games in a row since the 10th game of their 11-game unbeaten streak on Nov. 20.
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13. Blues
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8
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16-10-6-3
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After a 2-0 win at Florida (which followed a 4-3 OTL at Tampa), don't blame the Blues if they didn't want to take a holiday break.
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14. Hurricanes
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15
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17-13-4-5
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After scoring 11 power-play goals in their first 26 games, the 'Canes have scored 13 in their last 13.
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15. Canadiens
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18
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16-14-5-1
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The Habs play 12 of their next 15 on the road. Here's hoping injury call-ups are at a minimum.
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16. Flames
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14
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16-11-7-2
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After starting 13-2-4-2, the Flames are 3-9-3-0. Don't shoot the messenger.
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17. Devils
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17
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14-13-5-2
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Exactly when did the Devils become a team that couldn't score?
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18. Penguins
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21
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14-15-5-2
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The Pens playing defensive hockey is a waste of talent ... but you've gotta do what you've gotta do.
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19. Kings
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25
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14-15-5-2
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Forget Jason Allison's 10 points in his last eight games. We're all about Jaroslav Modry's 18 points in his last 19 games.
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20. Wild
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19
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13-14-5-3
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Brad Bombardir's return couldn't have come soon enough.
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21. Capitals
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16
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14-16-6-0
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A Caps fan in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "If we were going to give up Kris Beech, we should have asked for (Alexei) Kovalev. At least he looks like he cares."
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22. Predators
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24
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13-15-6-0
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Mike Dunham has started the last seven games for the Preds and is unbeaten in that span -- a personal and team record.
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23. Lightning
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26
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14-16-3-1
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The Lightning are in the midst of a six-game home winning streak, which ties the franchise record set during the 1995-96 season.
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24. Coyotes
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23
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14-14-5-3
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Bob Francis's 88 wins ranks third in team history -- three behind Dan Maloney and 18 behind John Paddock -- which is either a compliment of the coach or an indictment of the franchise.
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25. Sabres
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22
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14-19-3-1
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A month ago, we were pleading for someone to score. That's since been changed to someone stop the puck, please.
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26. Mighty Ducks
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29
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12-19-4-3
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The Ducks have outscored opponents 11-4. Who do you credit first -- the offense or the defense?
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27. Canucks
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20
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14-21-4-0
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If the Canucks have us scratching our heads, imagine what they are doing to Marc Crawford and Brian Burke.
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28. Panthers
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27
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10-19-2-3
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Mike Keenan gives Pavel Bure a day off from practice and rushes to his defense in the press. One can only wonder how long it will last.
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29. Blue Jackets
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28
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9-21-5-1
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Offense? Defense? Anyone? Bueller?
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30. Thrashers
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30
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7-22-4-3
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Ray Ferraro to the Journal-Constitution: "I love being on this team, I love being in the NHL, and until I stop I will love the game as much as I can." Can't help but feel for the guy.
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