Note: All statistics are through Sunday. BIGGEST CLIMB: N.Y. Rangers (19 to 16)
BIGGEST FALL: Boston (17 to 21)
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The Preds continue to rack up wins despite not having Peter Forsberg, Steve Sullivan, Scott Hartnell and Scott Nichol in the lineup. Those players could come in very handy this week: The Central Division may very well be decided on Tuesday and Wednesday as Nashville plays a home-and-home against Detroit. Sorry to be a party pooper, Preds fans, but of your team's 46 victories, 19 were against Central also-rans -- St. Louis, Columbus and Chicago.
Last Week: 2-0-1
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With his second-period goal on Saturday, Daniel Briere became the first Sabre since Pat LaFontaine in 1995-96 to reach 80 points. That's the extent of recent highlights for Buffalo, which dropped a season-high three straight at home by a combined score of 11-5. The league's top-scoring team has just eight goals in its past four games. Considering their woes at home, a four-game road trip might be just the fix the Sabres need.
Last Week: 0-3-0
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"They've got close to a perfect team," the Oilers' Petr Sykora said following Edmonton's loss to the Ducks on Friday. It's hard to argue, considering Anaheim's current five-game winning streak which included victories over San Jose, Nashville and Vancouver. During that streak, Teemu Selanne became the first player to have two 40-goal seasons after turning 35. With his 40 helpers, the veteran winger is on pace for 95 points, which would be his most since he notched 107 in 1998-99.
Last Week: 3-0-0
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Mike Babcock won his 100th game with Detroit in only 149 games, the second-fastest coach to reach the milestone. Tom Johnson had 100 in 138 games with Boston. "When you start to get 800 or 900, then you can start talking," Babcock said. "In the meantime, it's not much." The Wings, meanwhile, can't seem to gain serious ground on Nashville despite just one regulation loss since Feb. 23. As for the Preds, this week's home-and-home betwen the divison rivals could go a long way in determining the Central champ.
Last Week: 2-1-0
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Want to know why I think this team could win it all? It's quite simple: Marty Brodeur. As long as their all-world netminder stays healthy, the Devils can hang with any team. Need more proof? Saturday's victory over the Northeast-leading Sabres was even more impressive considering New Jersey played with just 16 skaters for the majority of the game. In addition to Brodeur, this team will need a healthy Brian Gionta when the playoffs begin.
Last Week: 2-0-1
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Roberto Luongo earned his 39th victory of the season on Friday, breaking Kirk McLean's franchise record and anchoring the Canucks' fifth straight win. One player who is making Luongo's job easier is Jeff Cowan. The winger has six goals in his past six games after going 52 without a score. In spite of Cowan's help, Luongo has had to stand on his head, considering the PP has gone 1-for-19 in the past five games.
Last Week: 3-1-0
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The Stars seem to be playing down to the level of their competition. In addition to ugly losses to Florida and Columbus two weeks ago, they fell to St. Louis last week and needed overtime to edge Los Angeles. That's not the way to catch the Ducks in the Pacific. But there is some good news coming out of Big D: Mike Modano scored his 14th goal of the season on Sunday to move within three of Joe Mullen for the career lead among U.S.-born players (502).
Last Week: 2-1-0
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When he returns from injury, Vesa Toskala better get comfortable on the stool. Nothing has been getting through, over or under Evgeni Nabokov. The veteran netminder stopped 22 shots on Sunday to earn his third shutout in four games and give the Sharks their first win at home in five weeks. Over that span, Nabby has turned away 109 of 111 shots while improving his record to 17-16-2 with a 2.28 GAA and .912 save percentage.
Last Week: 2-0-1
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The biggest reason the Sens have just one regulation loss since Feb. 7: Dany Heatley. During his current 14-game point streak, Heater has 11 goals, putting him on pace for 50, which would equal last season't output. But one aspect of this team that remains baffling is its knack for blowing third-period leads -- which happened in three straight games. Tuesday was the ugliest, as Ottawa surrendered three goals in the last frame en route to a shootout loss to the Pens.
Last Week: 1-0-2
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Another week, another milestone for Sidney Crosby. His third-period goal on Saturday made the 19-year-old the youngest player in NHL history to have two 100-point seasons. Despite the accomplishment, Sid the Kid has just two goals and three points in his last seven games. One player that has been able to pick up some of the slack is veteran blueliner Sergei Gonchar -- five points in his past four.
Last Week: 2-0-1
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Read on for teams 11-20 ...  |
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