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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.   Flyers 
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1
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24-11-6-1
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Devils are ahead in the standings, but GM Lou Lamoriello would have to don a tutu and do a pirouette to unseat unbeaten Flyers.
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2.   Devils
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7
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25-12-5-2
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Lamoriello in a ballet? What's next, Devils in Cup finals? Jersey is unbeaten in last eight.
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3.   Blues
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4
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25-11-6-0
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Earned five of six points at home before embarking on a five-game trip.
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4.   Wings
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2
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27-11-4-1
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The Osgood files: Chris needs to be sharper. Or is it more sharp?
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5.   Panthers
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10
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23-14-3-3
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With all the attention on Pavel Bure, few notice the Panthers allow the second-fewest goals (98) in the East.
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6.   Stars
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11
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21-16-5-1
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Lose to the Canucks and jump five slots? Either reputation goes a long way, or there aren't many NHL teams playing good hockey of late.
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7.   Senators
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5
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21-14-6-2
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Alexei Yashin lawsuit moves forward. Public opinion of Vaclav Prospal doesn't. Will he be traded?
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8.   Avalanche
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8
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20-17-5-1
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NHL doesn't rule in Chicago, where the Blackhawks took some steam out of the Avs' momentum.
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9.   Leafs
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3
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24-15-4-3
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Wendel Clark wasn't expensive. Leafs might be deep enough to utilize Clark in a good way. They need his grit.
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10. Penguins
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6
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18-19-3-5
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Pens went 2-2 vs. arguably the NHL's best teams. Pens must learn from Philly loss that when Jaromir Jagr is contained, someone has to step up. | 
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11. 'Yotes 
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9
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22-15-4-0
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Detroit win clouded by Osgood's shaky play, so technically, 'Yotes are still slumping.
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12. 'Canes
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19
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17-17-8-0
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Message to GM Jim Rutherford: Trade Keith Primeau right now. Team would improve instantly with anyone, even Petr Nedved.
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13. Kings
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16
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18-15-7-2
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Win over talented Panthers might signal turnaround in Lipstick City. Kings are three points out of first and three from last.
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14. Oilers
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17
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14-17-11-5
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With 11 ties and five regulation ties, Oilers go to OT in nearly 40 percent of their games.
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15. Sharks
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14
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20-20-5-3
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Read it here first: Getting rid of Mike Vernon will be viewed as a mistake.
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16. Capitals
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20
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15-17-7-1
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Power play is pretty bland. Why not throw Chris Simon out front and at least make it interesting.
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17. Flames
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12
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18-19-5-1
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Fred Brathwaite might be little, but how he plays has a big impact on Calgary's chances to win each night.
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18. Canucks
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23
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13-19-8-3
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Is Mattias Ohlund's return enough to put this team back in contention?
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19. Ducks
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18
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18-19-5-1
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To be winless in their last six should raise the red flags. This team needs a shakeup to survive in the West.
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20. Rangers
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21
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14-20-7-3
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Brian Leetch might be back soon. Hopefully, the Rangers won't be totally out of it by then.
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21. Predators
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13
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15-22-5-2
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Road losses to Dallas and Detroit shouldn't diminish the fact that this team knows how to battle.
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22. Sabres
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15
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17-20-5-1
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In last four games, the Sabres have allowed 21 goals ... or more than five per game. | 
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23. 'Hawks
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24
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13-23-6-2
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Chicago can't decide whether to be bad or average and tough to play against.
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24. Bruins
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22
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14-18-10-2
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Jason Allison hurts his other arm. Coach Pat Burns loses more hair by the day because of constant head scratching.
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25. Thrashers
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27
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10-26-4-3
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With apologies to the expansion Thrashers: Comeback win in Buffalo will go down as the season highlight.
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26. Islanders
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26
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10-24-5-0
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It turns out that a lot of people beat the Bruins.
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27. Canadiens
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25
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12-24-5-1
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How can this team be that bad at home (5-11-3).
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28. Lightning
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28
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10-23-6-4
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No one said building a winner would be easy.
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