Each week, Hockey Night in Canada's Scott Morrison breaks down the balance of power in the National Hockey League.
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1. NEW JERSEY DEVILS [unchanged] Record: 26-8-1 (53 pts) Last 10 games: 9-1-0 Brodeur sets the amazing shutout record and in Pittsburgh. |
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2. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS [up from 7] Record: 25-11-1 (51 pts) Last 10 games: 7-2-1 Fleury loses the duel with Brodeur. |
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3. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS [up from 4] Record: 23-8-3 (49 pts) Last 10 games: 7-2-1 Winning with good defence as well. |
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4. WASHINGTON CAPITALS [down from 3] Record: 22-8-6 (50 pts) Last 10 games: 7-3-0 Show of force in third period against Edmonton. |
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5. SAN JOSE SHARKS [up from 10] Record: 21-8-7 (49 pts) Last 10 games: 5-2-3 Broke up the big line but still a force. |
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6. BUFFALO SABRES [down from 5] Record: 22-10-3 (47 pts) Last 10 games: 6-3-1 Miller continues to impress. |
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7. NASHVILLE PREDATORS [up from 11] Record: 22-11-3 (47 pts) Last 10 games: 7-1-2 Suddenly finding ways to score aplenty. |
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8. LOS ANGELES KINGS [down from 2] Record: 22-12-3 (47 pts) Last 10 games: 7-2-1 Smyth will be back on Boxing Day. |
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9. PHOENIX COYOTES [unchanged] Record: 22-13-2 (46 pts) Last 10 games: 7-2-1 They obviously like playing in the desert. |
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10. CALGARY FLAMES [down from 8] Record: 20-11-4 (44 pts) Last 10 games: 4-5-1 Had a rough ride against the Predators. |
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11. COLORADO AVALANCHE [down
from 6] Record: 21-11-6 (48 pts) Last 10 games: 6-3-1 Refuse to go away. What a surprise. |
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12. DETROIT RED WINGS [unchanged] Record: 18-13-5 (41 pts) Last 10 games: 5-4-1 Most nights Howard has been good in goal. |
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13. VANCOUVER CANUCKS [unchanged] Record: 20-16-0 (40 pts) Last 10 games: 6-4-0 In the midst of a crucial homestand. |
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14. BOSTON BRUINS [unchanged] Record: 17-11-7 (41 pts) Last 10 games: 5-3-2 Rask is pushing Thomas for No. 1. |
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15. ATLANTA THRASHERS [up from 17] Record: 18-13-4 (40 pts) Last 10 games: 4-5-1 Kovalchuk contract is a concern. |
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16. DALLAS STARS [up from 18] Record: 15-10-11 (41 pts) Last 10 games: 3-3-4 Need a more balanced attack. |
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17. MINNESOTA WILD [down from
16] Record: 17-16-3 (37 pts) Last 10 games: 6-4-0 Were on fire before the fire. |
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18. OTTAWA SENATORS [up from 20] Record: 18-14-4 (40 pts) Last 10 games: 5-5-0 Leclaire and Neil will help the cause. |
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19. FLORIDA PANTHERS [up from 22] Record: 16-15-7 (39 pts) Last 10 games: 5-2-3 Battled back after a slow start. |
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20. NEW YORK RANGERS [down from 28] Record: 17-16-3 (37 pts) Last 10 games: 4-4-2 At least they're winning some games. |
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21. ST. LOUIS BLUES [up from 23] Record: 16-14-5 (37 pts) Last 10 games: 6-4-0 Power play and offence have to be better, as in the Oilers game. |
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22. MONTREAL CANADIENS [down
from 19] Record: 17-18-3 (37 pts) Last 10 games: 5-4-1 Will they deal Halak? |
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23. ANAHEIM DUCKS [up from 27] Record: 14-14-7 (35 pts) Last 10 games: 4-3-3 Trying to stay in the playoff hunt. |
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24. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING [up from 29] Record: 13-14-9 (35 pts) Last 10 games: 3-6-1 Won their last couple of games. |
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25. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS [down from 21] Record: 13-16-8 (34 pts) Last 10 games: 5-4-1 Kessel in his first slump. |
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26. NEW YORK ISLANDERS [down from 24] Record: 13-17-7 (33 pts) Last 10 games: 3-7-0 DiPietro is back practicing. |
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27. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS [down from
26] Record: 14-16-7 (35 pts) Last 10 games: 1-7-2 A mess right now. |
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28. EDMONTON OILERS [up from 15] Record: 15-17-4 (34 pts) Last 10 games: 5-5-0 Brutal at home. |
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29. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS [down from 25] Record: 15-18-2 (32 pts) Last 10 games: 2-7-1 No discipline, no life, no chance. |
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30. CAROLINA HURRICANES [unchanged] Record: 9-21-6 (24 pts) Last 10 games: 4-5-1 Looking to next year. |
