BIGGEST CLIMB: Columbus (25 to 13)
BIGGEST FALL: San Jose (8 to 14), Vancouver (11 to 17), Anaheim (15 to 21)
Note: All statistics are through Sunday.
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They're off to the best 10-game start in franchise history, and have relied on rock-solid defense and goaltending. In addition to allowing a league-low 19 goals (tied with Columbus), all three netminders (Ray Emery, Martin Gerber and Brian Elliott) have a goals-against-average below 2.00. Impressive.
Last Week: 1-0-0
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They have a league-best 19 points. They knocked off the Canucks twice in four nights. And Henrik Zetterberg leads the NHL with 21 points -- scoring in all 12 games. If that's not good enough, the Wings have done it the past two games without No. 1 netminder Dominik Hasek, who is out indefinitely with a hip injury.
Last Week: 3-0-0
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It's hard not to be impressed with Rod Brind'Amour. The 37-year-old pivot, who notched his third career hat trick in Saturday's 8-3 laugher over the Isles, has 18 points, including a current nine-game streak. After putting up 82 last season, Rod the Bod is well on his way to his first 90-plus campaign since notching 97 in 1993-94.
Last Week: 3-1-0
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Wild fans have turned a bluish hue from holding their collective breath for an extended period. That's because Niklas Backstrom, Pavol Demitra and, most importantly, Marian Gaborik are all sidelined by groin injuries. Gabby, who missed 34 games last season, doesn't think it's serious. "Definitely, I'm not going to miss 40 games or whatever. It's a day-to-day situation," he told the Star Tribune.
Last Week: 0-2-1
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Broad Street Bullies redux? Randy Jones became the third Flyer this season to be suspended for a dangerous and/or violent hit. I will say that Jones' hit shouldn't be in the same category as those dished out by Steve Downie and Jesse Boulerice. More bad news: Simon Gagne missed the past two games with blurred vision.
Last Week: 1-2-0
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There aren't many teams hotter than the Habs, who scored 20 goals during a four-game win streak to pull within four points of the Sens in the Northeast. But why hasn't rookie Carey Price been given a "softie" opponent yet? His three starts have been against Ottawa and Pittsburgh (2).
Last Week: 3-0-0
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13 |
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It was a big week for the Avs. Friday's victory over the Flames marked two milestones: Joe Sakic set up the game-winning goal to reach the 1,600-point mark while the win was No. 400 of coach Joel Quennville's career. Two days later, the Avs beat the Wild to improve to 5-0 at home for the first time since moving to Colorado in 1995.
Last Week: 3-0-0
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To no one's surprise, their scoring touch and playmaking abilities have been evident. But have you noticed the nasty edge to Vinny Lecavalier's game? Talk about the complete player. Not only does he lead the team with 26 penalty minutes, he's on pace for 237; his career high (90) was set two seasons ago.
Last Week: 1-1-1
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If the opportunity ever presents itself, the Ducks should quickly snatch up Manny Legace. The Blues' veteran netminder has absolutely owned them. With his victory Tuesday, Legace improved to 9-1-1 against Anaheim, with his last loss coming Nov. 16, 1998. Too bad he only gets three more cracks at them this season.
Last Week: 2-1-0
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If they hope to get out of their early-season funk, the special teams must shape up. The power play ranks 19th (9-for-52) while the PK is considerably worse -- 27th after allowing 16 man-advantage scores in 64 chances. It'll also be interesting to see how Miikka Kiprusoff (5-3, 3.15 GAA) performs after his big $35 million extension.
Last Week: 1-1-1
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Read on for teams 11-20 ...
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