So and overtime loss at Nashville isn't one to write home about, but is there anyone other than the Red Wings who deserve to be No. 1? After helping Roy to his 500th win, the Avalanche lost to Chicago and Philadelphia. The Maple Leafs are having issues south of the Mason Dixon line and the Sharks lost three in a row in regulation for the first time this season.
The other candidates? Boston has won five in a row for the first time since the fall of 1999 -- which just proves they haven't been very good the last two seasons -- but only five of the teams they've beaten all season currently have records above .500. Chicago has been beating top end teams and has allowed just one goal in each of their last four wins, hence their rise to No. 3, above Colorado, Toronto and San Jose. Philadelphia's last five wins have been against quality opponents, but it's loss to Phoenix stands out like a sore thumb.
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Team
|
Pvs.
|
W-L-T-OL
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The skinny
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|
1. Red Wings
|
1
|
27-8-3-2
|
The Wings have earned at least a point in each of their last six games.
|
|
2. Flyers
|
5
|
20-11-5-1
|
Nothing like having two No. 1 goalies ... or close to it.
|
|
3. Blackhawks
|
10
|
22-12-8-0
|
How are they doing it with the worst penalty kill in the league?
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|
4. Bruins
|
6
|
21-10-3-4
|
We're converting, but wins against better opponents would be convincing.
|
|
5. Rangers
|
9
|
22-14-3-2
|
Jeff Toms' self-described job in Newsday: "I'm putty. I fill holes."
|
|
6. Oilers
|
8
|
21-13-5-2
|
Nevermind the small-market-team-hanging-with-the-rich-guys, the Oilers deserve more credit for being the anti-trap team.
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|
7. Avalanche
|
2
|
22-15-4-0
|
Forget finding and keeping a scoring touch -- staying healthy is top on the Avs' list of things to do.
|
|
8. Islanders
|
7
|
19-11-5-2
|
The loss of rookie defenseman Radek Martinek to season-ending surgery on his ACL means the Isles likely will shop for a defensman, rather than Tony Amonte or Bill Guerin.
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|
9. Maple Leafs
|
3
|
21-12-3-3
|
An 0-3-0 "sweep" through the "Southleast" Division is cause to re-evaluate the Leafs and the Southeast Division.
|
|
10. Sharks
|
4
|
18-11-6-3
|
Losses against three backup goalies -- we're not even going to ask.
|
|
11. Hurricanes
|
14
|
19-13-5-5
|
The Hurricanes are the only division leaders who have surrendered more goals (120) than they have scored (115).
|
|
12. Senators
|
12
|
20-14-4-0
|
The Senators lead the Eastern Conference in goal differential with a plus-31.
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|
13. Blues
|
13
|
18-11-6-3
|
Four of the Blues' last five wins have been shutouts.
|
|
14. Stars
|
11
|
16-12-6-4
|
The Stars are 0-11-3 when trailing after two periods.
|
|
15. Devils
|
17
|
16-14-5-2
|
Larry Robinson makes players do pushups if they miss the net in practice. No truth to the rumor he'll make them do it in games.
|
|
16. Flames
|
16
|
17-13-7-2
|
Get well soon, Derek Morris.
|
|
17. Coyotes
|
24
|
16-14-6-3
|
After being snubbed by Team Canada, Sean Burke might like to prove the selection committee wrong. Wayne Gretzky can only hope.
|
|
18. Canadiens
|
15
|
16-16-5-2
|
In Montreal, earning one of six points, but still clinging to a playoff spot is a positive.
|
|
19. Capitals
|
21
|
15-17-7-0
|
When we watch Jaromir Jagr stand in one spot and roof the puck on some poor goalie while everyone stands around in stunned silence, we get the feeling he's pretty good.
|
|
20. Kings
|
19
|
14-16-7-2
|
Rule No. 243 of being a playoff contender: No tying the Ducks on national television.
|
|
21. Wild
|
20
|
13-16-6-3
|
The Wild, which once had the best power play in the league, is 3-for-29 on the man-advantage over their past five games.
|
|
22. Lightning
|
23
|
15-17-3-2
|
Nikolai Khabibulin's back must be killing him.
|
|
23. Predators
|
22
|
14-17-6-0
|
Mike Dunham can't play every game, especially with a condensed schedule.
|
|
24. Canucks
|
27
|
16-21-4-0
|
With 2-2-4 in his last two games, Jan Hlavac has figured into half the Canucks' offense in wins over Calgary and New Jersey.
|
|
25. Sabres
|
25
|
15-19-4-1
|
Slava Kozlov, who is out for two months after his Achilles tendon was sliced by a skate, had a hand in 43 percent of the Sabres' goals in the 12 games after he was benched.
|
|
26. Mighty Ducks
|
26
|
13-20-5-3
|
Considering ducks usually get killed when they're lured by a call, one would think "Answer the Call" isn't the best season slogan for Anaheim's hockey club.
|
|
27. Penguins
|
18
|
14-17-5-2
|
Mario Lemeiux may return within the next 10 days. The next 10 minutes would be more helpful, but days will do.
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|
28. Panthers
|
28
|
11-20-3-3
|
Something to consider: As of the last league report on Dec. 27, the Panthers lead the league in man-games lost to injury with 149.
|
|
29. Thrashers
|
30
|
8-22-5-3
|
The Thrashers are 0-7-1-0 vs. the West this season. As if that makes their 8-15-4-3 record against the East look better.
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|
30. Blue Jackets
|
29
|
9-22-6-1
|
The Blue Jackets haven't scored more than three goals in a game since Nov. 25 -- a span of 14 games.
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