BIGGEST CLIMB: Atlanta (28 to 21)
BIGGEST FALL: S.J. (3 to 9), Boston (5 to 11), Philadelphia (11 to 17)
Note: All statistics and records are through Sunday.
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How well are the Red Wings playing? On Saturday, they piled up a season-high 51 shots against the defensive-minded
Wild in a 4-1 victory. Big whoop, right? They did that without two-thirds of their top line: Henrik Zetterberg
and Tomas Holmstrom. But let's see how Detroit plays this week against the Blues, who have handed the mighty
team two of its seven regulation defeats.
Last Week: 3-1-0
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Bad news for the Senators: They don't play the Rangers again this season. Ottawa took the season series 3-1 and has taken 16 of 20 from the Blueshirts since the 2002-03 season, including five straight at MSG. The Sens went into the Christmas break on a high note, but they better not let the fruitcake weigh them down, as the white-hot Sabres will be waiting.
Last Week: 2-1-1
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Mike Ribeiro is on top of the world right now. The 27-year-old was born in Montreal, grew up a Canadiens fan and then played for his hometown team for six seasons until he was traded to Dallas last year. In his first game against the Habs, Ribeiro had a goal and two assists in the Stars' 4-1 win. "It pretty much lived up to expectations," he told the Dallas Morning News.
Last Week: 3-1-0
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The Canucks have survived a brutal stretch that saw them play nine of 12 games on the road, managing a respectable 6-4-2 mark. And while their 20-13-4 record at the Christmas break is better than a year ago (17-18-1), it's hard to know whether the 2007-08 edition is much better. One thing is certain: the defense isn't nearly the same with Mattias Ohlund out of the lineup.
Last Week: 3-1-0
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Now to the Marty Brodeur portion of the Power Rankings. With his 30-save performance Sunday, the future Hall of Famer moved into sole possession of second place with his 95th career shutout. I'm predicting mid-December next season he'll break Terry Sawchuk's all-time record of 103. Shifting gears, why does Zach Parise have just one goal in his last eight games?
Last Week: 2-1-0
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Marian Gaborik had a good week in one game. The 25-year-old Czech lit the lamp five times in a 6-3 win over the Rangers. "One time I got five goals when I was playing back home for a pro club back there, but this is just totally different," he said. The power play, meanwhile, has managed three or more scores in two of the past five games.
Last Week: 2-1-0
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Much like the Senators, the Rangers have also had their fair share of problems with the Avs. Friday's OT victory was
Colorado's seventh straight over New York. The Blueshirts haven't beaten the Avalanche since 2001 and haven't won in Denver since 1998. Equally impressive was Sunday's victory over the Canucks, which vaulted the Avs into a tie for first in the Northwest.
Last Week: 3-0-1
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What was that deal again: Dennis Wideman for Brad Boyes? Ouch ... if you're a Bruins fan. With a goal Saturday, Boyes notched his 20th in the team's 31st game -- the quickest to 20 since Brett Hull did it in 29 during the 1994-95 season. But it's hard not to feel sorry for this team when you look at its next four games: Detroit (2), San Jose, Dallas.
Last Week: 2-0-1
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The Sharks are probably getting sick of seeing the Ducks. They not only fell to Anaheim twice within four days, but they have knocked off their Pacific rival just once in five games this season. It's also a mystery that Joe Thornton has just one goal and no assists this year against the Ducks. But what's most puzzling is that the Sharks are just 6-9-3 at home.
Last Week: 0-3-0
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16 |
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The Sabres have won a season-high six straight games. And they've done it against some stiff competition, knocking off the Isles and Flyers twice over that span. After a rough start, Buffalo is just one point out of second in the thick Northeast. Let's see how they do this week with three tough matchups: Ottawa, New Jersey and Pittsburgh.
Last Week: 3-0-0
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Read on for teams 11-20 ...
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