BIGGEST CLIMB: Dallas (7 to 3), Montreal (10 to 6), NYR (22 to 18), Atlanta (25 to 21)
BIGGEST FALL: Columbus (19 to 25)
Note: All statistics and records are through Sunday.
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You know things are cooking on all burners when thoughts turn to all-time records. With 40 wins in their first 54 games, Detroit has a shot at surpassing the NHL-record 62 set by the 1995-96 Wings. "I think it's doable, but it's going to be real difficult, that would be the way to put it," Chris Osgood told the Detroit Free-Press. In fact, next month, 11 of 13 games are against the Central, where Detroit is just 7-7-2.
Last Week: 3-0-0
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It's hard to believe they were in last in the Atlantic on Christmas Eve. It's also hard to believe that it took Mike Knuble 707 games before notching his first hat trick. I was ready to drop the Broadstreet Bullies in the Rankings after their ugly loss to the Rangers, but their 3-0 win over Anaheim was very impressive. I don't know how Flyers fans feel about it, but I'd like to see Marty Biron between the pipes for the majority of games.
Last Week: 2-1-0
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After back-to-back losses to Columbus and Buffalo before the All-Star break, the Stars strolled into Western Canada and came out unscathed -- sweeping the Canucks, Oilers and Flames, thanks to Marty Turco, who stopped 92 of 97 shots during the trip. Turco is 43-11-3 against Canadian teams since he became Dallas' No. 1 goalie in 2002.
Last Week: 3-0-0
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The rest of the Pacific has officially been put on notice. The Sharks have finally learned how to win at home -- claiming three straight after going 2-5 in December. That recent surge has them over .500 (12-11-4) at the Shark Tank. Another thing opponents better take notice of is the play of Jonathan Cheechoo, who has four goals in his last four games after potting just four in his previous 16.
Last Week: 2-1-0
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I'm not anywhere near writing this team off. Not by a longshot. But the Sens aren't nearly the same squad sans Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley in the lineup. Ottawa has dropped seven of its last 10 and seen its division lead trimmed to three points. Want to see some intense games this week? Make sure you watch Ottawa battle the surging Habs on Tuesday and again on Saturday.
Last Week: 1-2-0
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Sorry, Canadiens fans. I was ready to boost your team even higher ... until Sunday's third-period meltdown against the Rangers. What happened? Is it time to give recently-recalled Carey Price the bulk of the starts? After all, Cristobal Huet has made 12 straight, so maybe he's getting a bit weary. One thing is evident: there may not be a faster team in the Eastern Conference.
Last Week: 2-1-1
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When Sidney Crosby went down with a high ankle sprain, everyone looked to Evgeni Malkin to pick up the slack. He's responded, with five goals and four assists in six games. But he's had some help in the form of Ty Conklin, a big reason why the Pens went 3-2-1 without Sid the Kid and haven't suffered successive regulation losses since Dec. 11-13.
Last Week: 2-1-0
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They've been a bit of an enigma over the past few weeks. Of their past eight wins, only two (Philadelphia) have come against top-tier foes. Of course, of the last six defeats, three were by a single goal. Brent Sutter has been fiddling with the lines, so let's see if that works this week with tough matchups against the Pens and Ducks.
Last Week: 1-2-0
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12 |
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On the strength of back-to-back wins over Colorado and Anaheim, the Wild closed out January 7-4-1 for a .625 winning percentage -- the best January in team history. Minnesota is one of the hottest teams in the league right now, with Niklas Backstrom the biggest reason. The up-and-down netminder is 4-0-1 in his past five starts with a .949 save percentage and 1.57 GAA.
Last Week: 2-0-0
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Win four of five and move down in the Rankings? The Flames have played well, but a few other teams have played better. To be in the top 10 in February isn't too shabby, especially after an uninspiring first two months. But Flames fans have to be a bit perplexed by the play of Miikka Kiprusoff. One week he looks like his normal great self. The next, he looks like he could use a long vacation.
Last Week: 1-1-0
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Read on for teams 11-20 ...
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