Note: All statistics and records are through Sunday.
| NHL Power Rankings |
| 21 |
28 |
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Kari Lehtonen is 6-2 since returning from a groin injury that sidelined him for 16 games. Behind Lehtonen, the
Thrashers won in St. Louis for the first time in franchise history on Sunday, giving Atlanta a fourth win in a row
over a six-day span. The Thrashers also knocked off the Senators and Canadiens during their win streak.
Last Week: 4-0-0
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| 22 |
25 |
 |
Stop the presses! The Coyotes have scored on Evgeni Nabokov. Phoenix's scoreless streak against the San Jose
goalie reached 271:20 -- the longest stretch for one goalie against an opponent since Dom Hasek blanked the
Rangers for 281:57 between 1997-98. "It was good to break that thing and for us to know we could score on that
goalie," said Peter Mueller.
Last Week: 2-0-1
|
| 23 |
27 |
 |
Thanks to a role player, the Panthers haven't lost in regulation since Dec. 15. Brett McLean scored the
game-winner Thursday to push Florida above .500 for the first time this season. In fact, since the 29-year-old pivot
returned to the lineup four games ago, the Panthers have earned at least a point in four straight -- including
impressive wins over Montreal and Carolina.
Last Week: 2-0-1
|
| 24 |
20 |
 |
Playing his 100th game with Nashville, Jason Arnott recorded his first hat trick in more than two years to
help the Predators snap a five-game losing streak. Arnott and Co. kept it going the next night with a 3-1 victory
over the Jackets. The Predators continue to be one of the tougher teams to figure out.
Last Week: 2-2-0
|
| 25 |
21 |
 |
Leave it to Pavel Kubina to get the Leafs out of a funk. His power-play score helped Toronto end a three-game
slide. It was his second goal of the season and first since Oct. 27 against the Islanders. Kubina's heroics also
meant the Leafs improved to 2-3 on their franchise record-tying, seven-game road trip.
Last Week: 1-1-1
|
| 26 |
22 |
 |
There's no way around it: the Jackets are struggling. The offense is foundering -- only two teams have scored fewer
goals -- and the power play has been in hibernation for much of December (0-for-19 in last five games; 4-for-42 for
the month). The PK hasn't been much better, allowing at least one goal in four straight games.
Last Week: 1-2-0
|
| 27 |
23 |
 |
The Oilers have stumbled into the Christmas break, losing three straight games while scoring just six goals in their
past four. If that isn't bad enough, forward Ales Hemsky went down Sunday with a knee injury. That'll put even
more pressure on Shawn Horcoff, who with 16 goals has already matched last season's output.
Last Week: 0-2-1
|
| 28 |
26 |
 |
Just about every facet for the Lightning is struggling. The offense has managed just seven goals in the past four games, while the power play is just 1-for-13 over that span. And whomever is between the pipes seems to be struggling. Is it only a matter of time before management gives in and makes a blockbuster trade?
Last Week: 1-2-0
|
| 29 |
29 |
 |
The month of December has been rather mediocre for the Capitals, who have gone 5-3-2 -- though dropping their last three. But one person who'll be glad to flip the calendar is Olaf Kolzig. The veteran netminder is 0-2-2 in his past four starts, giving up three or more goals in each game. With the playoffs already out of reach, the only question is whether Alex Ovechkin will score 50.
Last Week: 0-1-2
|
| 30 |
30 |
 |
Are Kings fans already looking ahead to next season? If not, they should give it serious consideration. Losers of seven straight, Los Angeles got even more bad news Saturday when Michael Cammalleri left in the first period with a rib injury. "I don't think it's that bad, but who knows," coach Marc Crawford said.
Last Week: 0-4-0
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