BIGGEST CLIMB: New York Islanders (20 to 10)
BIGGEST FALL: Tampa Bay (8 to 18) Note: All statistics are through Sunday. Have issues with my Power Rankings or want to pat me on the back? Send me an E-mail
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The holidays are just around the corner, but Sens' management is already in the giving spirit. Dany Heatley landed a six-year, $45 million extension on October 3. Jason Spezza last Friday inked a seven-year, $49 million deal. Of course, those who sign the checks would love to see Spez back on the ice. He's out for a week with a groin injury.
Last Week: 3-0-0
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Henrik Zetterberg's two goals Thursday extended his point streak to 14 games, tying Norm Ullman's franchise record set in 1960. The Wings, like Zetterberg, have been nearly perfect in the early going. "When we looked at the schedule at the start of the year, to be honest with you, we were scared to death of the start," coach Mike Babcock told the Detroit Free-Press.
Last Week: 2-0-0
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Though we haven't yet reached December, one thing seems evident: special teams will be critical. In five of their eight wins, the Canes' 2nd-ranked PP has notched at least two man-advantage scores. At the other end of the spectrum, the 28th-ranked PK has allowed three or more short-handed goals in three of the team's six losses.
Last Week: 1-1-0
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Is it too early to anoint the Wild as the league's Jekyll and Hyde team? After storming out to a 7-0-1 start, Minnesota dropped its next five -- its longest slide since a seven-game skid Feb. 22-March 7, 2004. It's a very good thing that Niklas Backstrom has returned between the pipes. He stopped 23 of 24 shots Saturday to end the losing streak.
Last Week: 1-2-0
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OK. I hear ya, Flyers fans. I probably should've mentioned the red-hot Mike Richards before now. At this point, he's too hard to ignore. The 22-year-old, who has scored at least a point in nine of the Flyers' 12 games, is just four goals shy of eclipsing his career high of 11 set two seasons ago.
Last Week: 1-1-0
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The Habs are off to a stellar start. It's hard to imagine how good it would be if Michael Ryder, the team's top goal-scorer in each of the past two seasons, was producing like normal. The winger has lit the lamp just twice this season and finished Saturday's game on the fourth line.
Last Week: 1-1-1
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If the Wild are the early leaders for Jekyll and Hyde team, the Jackets are easily the biggest surprise. A main reason: Pascal Leclaire, who came into the season with one shutout in 59 career games, but has a league-leading five in nine starts. Let's see how he and the rest of the team hold up with their next seven games against Central foes.
Last Week: 2-0-1
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The Avs play well at home. They've matched a franchise record with six straight wins there. But the road is another story: Colorado has dropped four of six away from the friendly confines of the Pepsi Center. That's bad news, as eight of the next 13 games are away. The next two weeks could go a long way in determining if this team will be a contender or a pretender.
Last Week: 1-1-0
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Before you fire off an angry e-mail, I'm aware that the Blues probably should be a few spots lower after a poor week. This team has been a quandary for me all season. What's really been impressive is the fact St. Louis won six of its first 10 without three key blueliners: Jay McKee, Eric Brewer and Erik Johnson.
Last Week: 1-3-0
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Here's where the bulk of my irate e-mails will come from: Isles fans wanting to know why their team isn't above the so-so Blues ... and even the Avs. And they'd be right -- if I wasn't so subjective with these rankings. But their sample size (11 games) is smaller than any other team's, so it's still a bit tough to get a read on Ted Nolan's crew, though I'm starting to truly believe in Rick DiPietro.
Last Week: 2-0-0
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Read on for teams 11-20 ... 
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