NHL & Minor Leagues » Power Rankings von ESPN

Blues, Stars hit stride -- finally

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ESPN.com

Through games of Jan. 13

Let us know what you think about this week's rankings and we'll post the best responses in Rank Comments.

Team Pvs. W-L-T-OL The skinny

1. Red Wings 1 32-8-3-2 You know rookie center Pavel Datsyuk is the real deal when he can stand out in that lineup.

2. Flyers 3 25-12-5-1 Eric who?

3. Bruins 4 25-13-3-4 The Bruins' toughest opponent right now is the flu.

4. Blues 11 23-12-6-3 In their last five games, the Blues are 5-0-0-0 and Chris Pronger is 1-8-9 with a plus-9. Think they're related?

5. Maple Leafs 5 25-13-5-3 Telltale sign: The Leafs are concerned about upcoming games against Atlanta and Nashville.

6. Blackhawks 2 26-14-8-0 The Hawks have allowed seven power-play goals in their last three games.

7. Avalanche 7 24-16-6-0 Sure, the Avs have the resources to make a trade to compensate for the loss of Peter Forsberg, but at some point the prospect well is going to dry up.

8. Stars 13 21-14-6-4 Mike Modano may not be carrying the Stars. But after watching him score seven of the team's 10 goals in its past four games, it seems like it.

9. Oilers 6 23-15-7-2 Letting Ryan Smyth sit out more games to allow his ankle to heal more wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.

10. Senators 14 24-15-4-2 After playing the Flyers three times and the Bruins twice in a span of 15 days, the Sens should get a pretty good idea where they stand.

11. Sharks 8 22-13-6-3 The Sharks have worn their black jerseys in five home games -- averaging just 1.6 goals and losing the past four, including 3-2 to L.A. on Saturday, according to the Mercury News. Proof that there is a reason for everything.

12. Islanders 10 22-15-5-2 Isles coach Peter Laviolette, this week's Master of the Obvious, in Newsday: "If you don't keep winning you slip down that ladder very quick."

13. Rangers 9 22-19-3-3 Six games, no wins, out scored 24-6, 1-for-28 on the power play...shall we continue?

14. Devils 12 19-18-5-2 The Devils haven't won more than two games in a row since stringing together six from Oct. 18-Nov. 1.

15. Hurricanes 15 21-17-5-5 A 7-1 loss to the Canucks is what happens when you're a team that has to work hard every shift and you don't.

16. Kings 18 19-17-7-2 We hate to be killjoys -- really, we do -- but even after a 4-1-0 road trip, there's still work to be done.

17. Flames 16 19-16-8-2 Derek Morris is expected back this week. Considering the Flames lost only two games with him, and have won only five without him, that qualifies as good news.

18. Wild 20 16-19-8-3 After Manny Fernandez stopped 53 of 58 shots in three games, we thought he was back. Then he allowed three goals against Dallas on 16 shots. How about almost back?

19. Canadiens 19 18-19-6-2 After watching Patrick Traverse get drilled into the glass, replacing it will be the best move the Habs have made in years.

20. Capitals 21 18-20-8-0 When in doubt, go with three defensemen on the ice.

21. Coyotes 17 18-17-6-3 With Sean Burke out with a groin strain, now might be the time to point out that Robert Esche is 2-5-0 with a 3.54 GAA and a .872 save percentage.

22. Canucks 22 19-23-4-1 Marc Crawford after Saturday's 7-1 win over Carolina: "We didn't have a poor performance in our whole lineup." There's always tomorrow.

23. Predators 23 16-20-8-0 Petr Tenkrat has 14 points in his last 13 games.

24. Sabres 25 18-22-4-1 Martin Biron to the Buffalo News: "I know I can stop pucks. I know I can play goal." And doggone it, people like me.

25. Lightning 24 16-22-4-2 The Lightning have scored only 20 first-period goals, the fewest in the league.

26. Penguins 27 16-21-5-2 No truth to the rumor the Penguins' motto is: Shut out or be shut out.

27. Panthers 26 14-25-3-3 The only way Mike Keenan will continue with the franchise is if he's named GM. It's the only way we would.

28. Blue Jackets 28 12-25-6-1 Four goals in a game two weeks ago. Five goals in a game last week. Pretty soon, they'll be clamoring to break up the Jackets.

29. Thrashers 30 10-27-6-3 Unbeaten in three. Who's bringing the chips?

30. Mighty Ducks 29 13-25-6-3 Badly in need of depth, the Ducks have contacted Disney on Ice promoters to inquire about Goofy's availability. Although, our inside contacts say Donald Duck is better.

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Minnesota Wild 48 GP - 17 W - 8 T - 20 L - 3 OTL- 45 P
(8.Los Angeles 47 GP/51 P[6 Punkte vor Minnesota])
Wes Walz 40 GP - 8 G - 10 A - 18 P - 23 PIM
Jeremy Roenick 45 GP - 13 G - 31 A - 44 P - 46 PIM