Say what you want about East Coast bias. The four top teams play out West. The scoreless tie between the Wings and Blues shows how close these two clubs are. Even though Pierre Turgeon is back, the Blues need Pavol Demitra. Right now, Detroit doesn't have such a big health question. And look out for Colorado, which is winning OT games and building confidence by the day.
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Team
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PVS
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W-L-T-RT
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ESPN.com says
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1. Wings
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2
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48-22-10-2
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They played a skin-tight one vs. the Blues and then held off a desperate Habs club. They're battle tested and still the favorites.
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2. Blues
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1
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50-18-11-0
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People might poo-poo the Blues at No. 2, but not having their No. 1 scorer is enough to give them the boot.
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3. Avalanche
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5
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39-29-11-1
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Ray Bourque has eight goals in 12 games with the Avs, who are 9-2-1 in that span.
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4. Stars
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4
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43-27-8-6
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Despite OT losses to the Avs, Dallas has the Mo right now. Mike Modano (36 points in last 26 games), that is.
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5. Devils
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7
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44-27-8-5
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Patrik Elias has 35 goals, which equal his total the last two seasons combined. |
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6. Capitals
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3
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42-25-11-2
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Caps lost two in a row for first time since December.
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7. Flyers
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6
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41-25-12-3
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No remaining games are against playoff teams, so No. 1 East seed is a definite possibility.
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8. Kings
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8
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37-30-11-4
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With only nine goals allowed during current 3-0-2 streak, Stephane Fiset is answering some lingering questions.
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9. Leafs
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12
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43-28-7-3
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Leafs will try to get a few points vs. Pittsburgh and Buffalo, then they finish with the Isles and Lightning.
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10. Panthers
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13
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41-31-6-5
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Viktor Kozlov is second on the team in shots (214) but sixth in goals (17).
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11. Penguins
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17
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34-36-8-6
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Finishing with three on the road won't be easy. Buffalo will be desperate Friday night. Pens fans hope their team won't be.
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12. Sabres
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11
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33-35-10-3
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Down one with four to play. It's certainly possible, considering they're 5-1 in last six. |
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13. 'Canes
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18
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35-34-10-0
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Just when you thought they were dead, the 'Canes perk up -- all without one player with more than 24 goals.
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14. Oilers
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16
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30-32-16-8
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Things are going OK, but now Boyd Devereaux is out, joining Mike Grier as key forwards injured.
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15. 'Yotes
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28
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37-34-7-4
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Salvaging a point in Edmonton was huge, giving them five of six points in the road trip's final three games. |
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16. Senators
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10
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38-29-11-2
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Playoff status is set, but 0-3 week is not a good sign. Team might be too thin to challenge.
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17. Canucks
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13
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29-36-14-8
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No matter what happens this week, the Canucks have turned the corner. Hopefully, Mark Messier was serious about staying for less next year. |
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18. Sharks
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14
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32-36-10-7
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Sunday night's game against the Canucks could be for all the marbles. A 19-26-8 home record makes it a toss-up.
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19. Ducks
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15
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32-34-12-2
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Roasted, cooked or whatever dumb cliché you want, if the Ducks can't beat the 'Hawks and Preds, they're done. |
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20. Canadiens
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20
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33-37-9-4
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Gutsy performance in Detroit shows why people hope the Habs squeak into the playoffs. |
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21. Flames
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19
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31-38-9-5
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Could Brian Sutter's job be in danger? If a postseason appearance is the key, watch out.
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22. Predators
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22
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28-44-7-7
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Win over Canucks means they can play spoiler ... they face Anaheim twice this week.
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23. 'Hawks
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21
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30-39-10-2
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Tony Amonte topped the 40-goal plateau for the second straight year. Get him some help.
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24. Lightning
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24
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18-51-9-7
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Message to all fans outside of Florida: Vincent Lecavalier is going to be a star.
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25. Thrashers
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26
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14-57-7-4
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Any week that they get a win is a good week.
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26. Bruins
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23
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23-36-19-6
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What category could the Bruins possibly be the best in? How about ties (19).
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27. Islanders
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25
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22-48-9-1
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From the as bad as it gets department: The Isles lost the season series, 3-1, to the Thrashers.
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28. Rangers
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27
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29-38-12-3
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Season should have been suspended for play detrimental to the NHL.
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