| 1 |  |
Last Week: 3 |
After losing four of five on the road, they finally righted their ship with three straight victories at home. Saturday's workmanlike triumph over Atlanta was their 26th at the Shark Tank this season, and that's a new franchise record. Last week: 3-0 |
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| 2 |  |
Last Week: 4 |
They had to wash the bedsheets after that 4-1 loss to the Avalanche, but rebounded nicely with a statement performance against the Pens on Sunday. They've won all three games in that lopsided rivalry this season, lighting 'em up for 15 goals and taking extreme joy in rubbing Sid's nose in the mess. Last week: 2-1 |
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| 3 |  |
Last Week: 2 |
They are living -- and dying -- by the power play of late. In the three games prior to Sunday's loss to the Wild, they scored 16 goals, including nine with the extra man. Against Minny, the league's No. 1 unit went 0-for-5, and they were never in the game. Last week: 2-1 |
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| 4 |  |
Last Week: 13 |
Despite heavy travel, hockey's hottest team bagged eight wins in nine Feb. games highlighted by a 4-3 SO thriller in Calgary that featured the season's best goaltending duel. It's been a bumpy road, but the pieces are finally coming together: Mats Sundin's delayed training camp's over, Roberto Luongo's back in top form, and the Sedin twins are validating their $6.5 million contract demands with aggressive play down low. Last week: 3-0 |
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| 5 |  |
Last Week: 6 |
Almost as hot as the Canucks, they're 5-0-2 in their last seven. But can they keep it up? Injuries are starting to mount, with Rene Bourque, Daymond Langkow, Rhett Warrener and Mark Giordano sidelined to start a three-game home stand. Last week: 2-0-1 |
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| 6 |  |
Last Week: 7 |
No place like the road. They wrapped up a string of 11 of 12 away from home with an 8-3 mark, solidifying their hold on fourth in the West. Now they play 16 of their final 24 at the United Center. Last week: 3-1 |
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| 7 |  |
Last Week: 1 |
With Scott Clemmensen running on fumes -- 13 goals-allowed in his past three starts, two of which were 4-0 losses, including one to the sadsack Isles -- they can at least look forward to the return of Martin Brodeur this week. No 1. defenseman Paul Martin, sidelined for the last four, should be back in the lineup as well. Last week: 1-2 |
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| 8 |  |
Last Week: 5 |
That loud smacking sound was them splattering against the wall. The competitive fire that powered their early success was barely a flicker during the 1-3-1 road trip that ended with Sunday's loss to the Lightning. Expect a roster shake-up by next Wednesday. Last week: 1-2 |
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| 9 |  |
Last Week: 9 |
Ken Hitchcock's always ridden his lead horse hard, but he might have to let up a bit on Steve Mason. Making his sixth start in nine days, the rookie had nothing in the tank during Saturday's 5-2 loss to Anaheim. But when to rest him? The team embarks on a critical three-game Canadian swing this week, and he gives them their best chance to win. Last week: 2-1-1 |
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| 10 |  |
Last Week: 10 |
Tomas Vokoun had a remarkable week -- two shutouts, just three goals in on 118 shots -- but all the buzz swirls around Jay Bouwmeester and his fate heading to the trade deadline. Best guess? No team antes up Florida's price, so they keep him for the stretch run/playoffs, then deal his negotiating rights before the draft. Last week: 2-1 |
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| 11 |  |
Last Week: 8 |
Any Flyers fan who feels comfortable with this team's goaltending is probably hopeful of a full economic recovery in the first quarter. With just seven weeks left to go, John Stevens still doesn't have a go-to guy between the pipes. Last week: 1-1 |
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| 12 |  |
Last Week: 16 |
The weekend started on a sour note -- Andrew Brunette's league-leading 509-game iron man streak came to an end -- but by the time it was over the Wild had swiped four points from the Wings and Hawks. Wonder if Doug Risebrough filed away Josh Harding's 44-save effort against Chicago as a bargaining chip against Niklas Backstrom? Last week: 2-0-1 |
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| 13 |  |
Last Week: 18 |
The surging Canes outscored foes 15-5 on their three-game win streak, and did it the old-fashioned way: by getting pucks on net and keeping play out of their own zone. They outshot the Isles, Bolts and Avs by a combined 110-56. Last week: 3-1 |
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| 14 |  |
Last Week: 12 |
They look like they've exhausted their supply of Mighty Putty while filling holes left by Brenden Morrow and Sergei Zubov. With Brad Richards sidelined, they've got plenty of hustle, but too little finish. Their on-ice effort deserves some off-ice assistance before the trade deadline. Last week: 2-1 |
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| 15 |  |
Last Week: 11 |
Inconsistent play over the last month has them on the brink of the playoff abyss. The indefinite loss of netminder Ryan Miller (twisted ankle) might just push them over. They'll have to rely on Patrick Lalime (one win since Oct. 13). Looks like River Oaks is going to be crowded come April. Last week: 2-1 |
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| 16 |  |
Last Week: 14 |
Their playoff chances may very well hinge on the next two weeks. With four points to make up, and three clubs to leapfrog, the Preds must make the most of the home ice advantage they'll enjoy in seven of their next eight outings. Last week: 1-2-1 |
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| 17 |  |
Last Week: 15 |
Everyone expects Brian Burke to be the big deadline noisemaker, but it may be his successor who steals the show. With the Ducks falling out of the playoffs, Bob Murray is said to be listening to offers for Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger, Steve Montador and checkers Sami Pahlsson and Travis Moen. Last week: 1-2 |
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| 18 |  |
Last Week: 23 |
They've gone to the extra frame five times in 11 games this month, and just once came away with two points. The problem? Too passive in OT -- an unacceptable approach considering how desperate they are for points. Time to gamble for the win, even if that means demanding more from youngsters like Patrik Berglund and T.J. Oshie. Last week: 2-1-1 |
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| 19 |  |
Last Week: 22 |
How is it they average a league-low 27.5 shots per game? The return of Sergei Gonchar's transition skills should help create more chances off the rush, but they could make it easier on themselves by simplifying their offense and settling for chances with less highlight-reel appeal. Last week: 2-1-1 |
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| 20 |  |
Last Week: 17 |
The potential return on Erik Cole heading into the deadline is dropping faster than the value of the Alberta oil sands. The speedy winger has just two goals in his last 10 games, a slump that will be tougher to ignore than his reliable play away from the puck. Last week: 1-2-1 |
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| 21 |  |
Last Week: 19 |
With the firing of Tom Renney, all four coaches whose teams started the season in Europe have been sacked. The scheduling quirk is a coincidence. The poor construct of their teams is not. Renney was destined to be the fall guy for the Rangers' skid, but the floor should have dropped out from under Glen Sather's feet as well. Last week: 1-2-1 |
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| 22 |  |
Last Week: 20 |
Bryan Murray says he's not done rearranging the deck chairs after dealing for Mike Comrie and Chris Campoli. At this point, it's not so much what else he plans on doing, but why he'll still be allowed to do it. Last week: 1-2-1 |
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| 23 |  |
Last Week: 21 |
Is this a playoff team? Don't count on it. After Saturday's embarrassing loss to Phoenix, they've won just one of their last eight home games -- hardly the express lane to the postseason. Doesn't help that shooters discovered that rookie Jonathan Quick is beatable up high. Last week: 1-2-1 |
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| 24 |  |
Last Week: 24 |
It was just one game, but while scoring three points in his return from being sent to his room, Alexei Kovalev looked like a different player -- which is exactly what they needed. They need him to maintain the energy, if not the scoring pace, if they are to secure a playoff berth. Last week: 1-1-1 |
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| 25 |  |
Last Week: 25 |
Andrew Raycroft wins three in a row and all of a sudden there's a chorus crying out for him to be re-signed? This is the same goalie who has lost six in a row and won seven in a row. You want streaky play, he's your guy. You want a starter? Look somewhere else. Last week: 2-1 |
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| 26 |  |
Last Week: 26 |
Saturday's loss to San Jose couldn't spoil an otherwise successful West Coast swing. They scored 20 times in the four games, taking five out of eight points in the process. Bryan Little had a goal in each, a real breakthrough after going pointless in 10. Last week: 1-1-1 |
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| 27 |  |
Last Week: 29 |
A trade deadline without an Olli Jokinen rumor is like an episode of The Soup without a Mankini sighting. What, you thought all that ended when he was dealt to Phoenix? He's already worn out his welcome, so his pair of goals Saturday (his first in a month) may make him an appealing option for someone desperate for help up the middle (paging Scott Howson, Bob Gainey, Les Jackson. . .) Last week: 2-1 |
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| 28 |  |
Last Week: 28 |
Coach-killers in the past, they used to reserve the bitter pills for their own. In past 10 days, they've hammered the final nail in the coffins of Pittsburgh's Michel Therrien and Tom Renney of the Rangers. Last week: 1-1-2 |
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| 29 |  |
Last Week: 27 |
After starting 2-5-2, it's fair to say February hasn't been kind -- ah, let's face it, the whole season has been one big pile of sand kicked in their faces. But Sunday's win over Boston showed they have some fight left in them, if not a lot of talent. Last week: 1-2-1 |
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| 30 |  |
Last Week: 30 |
On the surface, sending Mike Comrie and Chris Campoli to Ottawa was addition by subtraction. Neither was happy on the Island, so it was best they moved on. Still, Campoli was a legit NHLer. GM Garth Snow must make hay with that first-rounder for this deal to make any sense. Last week: 2-2 |
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