BIGGEST CLIMB: Edmonton (27 to 21) BIGGEST FALL: Colorado (11 to 15), Toronto (26 to 30) Note: All statistics and records 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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If Saturday's loss to the Senators was tough for the Red Wings, just think what it was like for Dominik Hasek.
The veteran netminder, who suffered an injury while playing for Ottawa in 2005-06, was bombarded throughout
the game with derisive chants of "Ha-sek! Ha-sek!" "It was exactly what I expected," he told the Detroit
Free-Press.
Last Week: 1-1-1
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Sure, they knocked off the Wings in a possible Stanley Cup Final preview, but they lost Dany Heatley. The
All-Star winger, who had not missed a game since being dealt to Ottawa in 2005-06 and was on pace for another 100-point
campaign, could be sidelined for up to eight weeks after dislocating his shoulder. Patrick Eaves, now that he's
healthy, may be asked to try and fill Heater's skates.
Last Week: 2-1-0
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Two streaks ended last week. The surging Ducks on Sunday snapped San Jose's impressive 10-game road
win streak and Evgeni Nabokov's consecutive starts ended at 43 as 21-year-old Thomas Greiss made the first of his career. If the Sharks want a rested No. 1 for the stretch run and playoffs, they'd better
give Nabby a few more days off.
Last Week: 2-0-1
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It appears everything is clicking for them (8-2-0 in their past 10 games). Patrik Elias has points
in four of the last five games, Marty Brodeur is 8-1-0 in his last nine starts while allowing just 12 goals, and
the PK hasn't allowed a goal in six straight. The Devils should look even better this week with games against Florida and Toronto.
Last Week: 3-0-0
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If you looked at the boxscore from Friday's game, you may have noticed something very peculiar. For the first time in
his 1-1/2 seasons with the Canucks, Roberto Luongo didn't start a home game. That's what happens when you play
three games in four nights. With Bobby Lu watching from the bench, Vancouver suffered its first home loss in regulation
since Nov. 1.
Last Week: 2-2-0
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Is there still a goaltending-by-committee situation here? Josh Harding has started three straight,
stopping 93 of 97 shots while leading the Wild to three consecutive victories. Despite Harding's hot stretch, coach
Jacques Lemaire refuses to back him or Niklas Backstrom: "The one that stops the puck is ahead
of the other one."
Last Week: 3-1-0
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Behind Ty Conklin, the Pens extended their win streak to eight games -- their longest since a 10-game
stretch in Jan. and Feb. 1999. "I think everybody's confident," Conklin said. "It's not one or two guys, it's a
team." How good has it been going? The Pens have just one regulation defeat since Dec. 18. Their strong January may have fans thinking about an Atlantic title.
Last Week: 2-0-1
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I'm not sure what to think lately. Not only have they dropped six of their last eight, the last two
came against the likes of St. Louis (not a terrible loss) and Los Angeles (ouch). It only gets tougher this week
with two matchups with Anaheim and one against San Jose. If the Stars don't turn it around relatively soon, they could be looking up at a few teams in the Pacific.
Last Week: 2-1-1
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Maybe the big move up in the Rankings last week (from 17 to 6) was too much for the Flames, who after winning five in a
row have dropped three straight. "In our last few games, let's be honest, we've slipped a bit and we have to get back
at it," Jarome Iginla said. I'll be interested to see how they respond this week with three games in four days.
Last Week: 0-2-1
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Not only are they playing well, they finally have Simon Gagne back in the lineup. But watch the possible goalie controversy. Antero Niittymaki is the hot hand, starting four of the last five. Marty Biron gave up four goals Sunday in his first start since Jan. 4. If I had to guess, I'd say Philly goes with Biron down the stretch.
Last Week: 3-0-1
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