Predators climb into top 10; Flyers' tumble continues

BIGGEST CLIMB: N.Y. Rangers (19 to 13)
BIGGEST FALL: Philadelphia (6 to 11), Colorado (11 to 16)

Note: All statistics and records are through Sunday.

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NHL Power Rankings Rank LW Team 1 1 Detroit Red Wings (41-15-5) I'll lessen the sting a little for Wings fans: Detroit didn't recently lose six straight -- it went winless (0-5-1) -- its longest such skid since 1991. During that time, Pavel Datsyuk didn't record any multi-point games and Henrik Zetterberg went goalless in five of six. If all-world blueliner Nick Lidstrom (knee) is out for significant time, all of that will pale in comparison. Last Week: 0-3-0 2 2 Dallas Stars (37-21-5) If they go on to bigger and better things (Stanley Cup, anyone?) this season, they might look back on Sunday's win over the Wings as the turning point. Why? Marty Turco conquered at least some of their Detroit demons with his 32nd career shutout, boosting his career record against the Wings to 2-9-5. "That team's had my number, so it was satisfying to beat them," he said. Last Week: 3-1-0 3 7 Montreal Canadiens (32-19-9) A three-game win streak, including a home-and-home sweep of the sliding Flyers, has propelled the Habs into a first-place tie with Ottawa in the Northeast. The ignitor of the most recent surge was rookie Carey Price, who has started all three games while allowing just four goals. It'll be interesting to see whom coach Guy Carbonneau calls upon in net this week for two tough games against the Rangers and Pens. Last Week: 3-1-0 4 3 Pittsburgh Penguins (33-21-5) After two uninspiring losses to the Bruins and 'Canes, it was nice to see the Pens bounce back with a solid victory over the surging Sabres. In that game, Evgeni Malkin scored his 35th goal, one more than he had as a rookie last season. And during his current eight-game point streak, the 21-year-old has seven goals and 12 assists. Sidney Crosby (ankle sprain), meanwhile, is progressing well and optimistic about returning in the near future. Last Week: 1-2-0 5 5 San Jose Sharks (31-19-8) The next two weeks will most likely determine whether they remain in the hunt for the Pacific crown. Over the next 16 days, they'll play eight road games and travel 5,755 miles. The "vacation" didn't get off to a good start with back-to-back losses to the Rangers and Isles. The good news is that they have four games in hand over the Stars and Ducks. Last Week: 0-2-1 6 4 Ottawa Senators (34-20-5) Too bad they can't take back that trade. Ottawa has dropped three in a row since acquiring Cory Stillman and Mike Commodore from Carolina on Feb. 10. "It's good to hit a bump here and there to find out what it really takes to win," Daniel Alfredsson said. Even if the Sens are a high seed in the playoffs, their goaltending situation makes ripe a first-round upset. Last Week: 0-2-1 7 8 Anaheim Ducks (33-23-7) While things are going well for Teemu Selanne, who passed Paul Kariya to become Anaheim's all-time points leader, the same can't be said for Ryan Getzlaf. The team's leading scorer has just one goal in 10 games since the All-Star break. "I think it's a mental thing," he said. That tells you something about the Ducks: Getzlaf is doing nothing and yet they've still won six of their past seven. Last Week: 2-1-0 8 9 New Jersey Devils (33-21-5) Another season, another 30-win campaign for Marty Brodeur. "It's one of the things I set for myself," he said after reaching the mark for an NHL-record 12th straight season. "Thirty games at the end of the year is not a big number, but not that many goalies do it in consecutive years, so it's nice." The Devils, on the other hand, aren't going away and will be in the race for the East's top seed till the final game. Last Week: 2-0-1 9 10 Minnesota Wild (34-21-4) This is one team to watch very closely, as coach Jacques Lemaire has it playing a sound, smart game. And if the Wild want to play even better, make sure to put Marian Gaborik in front of a TV before the game. On Sunday, Gabby watched a replay of his five-goal game on Dec. 20. It worked: he scored two, including the game-winner in overtime. Last Week: 2-1-0 10 13 Nashville Predators (31-23-7) This isn't a knock against Barry Trotz's boys, since they've been one of the bigger surprises this season, but after the top nine in these Rankings, you could throw the next 5-6 teams in a hat and pull them out. That ISN'T what I did. I mentioned it a few weeks ago, but it bears repeating: this team is better with Dan Ellis between the pipes. Chris Mason has allowed eight goals in his last 35 shots faced. Last Week: 2-1-1

Read on for teams 11-20 ...

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