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Power Rankings: When you're hot, you're hot Print
Features
Monday, February 08, 2010 02:05
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HPT Power rankings (Week 18):


We wouldn't be so pretentious as to call it "The Real Super Bowl."

But Colts-Saints wasn't the only game Sunday to live up to the hype. The Pittsburgh Penguins, less than 12 hours after getting off an airplane in New Jersey, nearly ended the NHL's longest winning streak Sunday in Washington before losing in overtime to the Capitals. Now, in a cruel twist of fate, the Caps are three games shy of the NHL record formerly held by the Penguins.

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1. Washington Capitals (41-12-6): Fourteen in a row?! It looked as if the Pens and their 4-1 lead Sunday would finally end the Caps’ winning streak. The final in overtime: 5-4 Caps.




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2. San Jose Sharks (38-11-9): Second overall in the league, the Sharks are in a familiar position heading into the Olympic Break. They need this to translate into playoff success.




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3. Chicago Blackhawks (38-15-5): Although they are only 5-4-1 in their last 10, they are in no danger of losing their top spot in the division.




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4. Los Angeles Kings (36-19-3): The Kings set a franchise record with nine straight wins. Not even Wayne Gretzky led Los Reyes to that many in a row. They went 5-0 on their most recent road trip.


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5. Phoenix Coyotes (35-19-5): Ilya Bryzgalov is continuing his MVP-worthy season. He has four wins and a shutout in the last five games.




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6. New Jersey Devils (36-19-2): Ilya Kovalchuk looks like his usual brilliant self and Patrik Elias finally joined the lineup Saturday. Only good things lie ahead, as Paul Martin and David Clarkson are close.



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7. Pittsburgh Penguins (35-22-2): The Pens have yet to take back first place in light of the Devils’ mini-skid. They are only two points behind New Jersey in the Atlantic but have played two more games.



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8. Ottawa Senators (33-22-4): The Sens sit in a good position in the East and, are actually becoming a very hard team to play against, now that everyone is healthy. At this pace, they’ll be buyers at the trade deadline.



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9. Vancouver Canucks (35-20-2): The Canucks have been one of the best teams in the NHL in the new year. They remain on top in the Northwest Division. Swedish twins, you say?



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10. Buffalo Sabres (32-18-7): Four straight losses and a 2-7-1 stretch have left the Sabres in jeopardy of losing their lead in the Northeast. Tim Connolly’s point streak is over after 16 games and he can’t carry the offense.


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11. Colorado Avalanche (32-19-6): The first half was stronger for the Avs, who are now in second in their division. The rookies are still producing: Matt Duchene has points in four of the last five games as he remains a good choice for the Calder Trophy.


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12. Nashville Predators (31-22-4): The Preds have dropped down to eighth in the West by going 3-6-1 in their last 10.



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13. Calgary Flames- (29-21-9): All is not peachy in Cowtown. From hopes of winning the division, to hopes of just making the playoffs, the Flames have slipped far down the ladder.


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14. Minnesota Wild (29-25-4): The Wild were a team that looked like they weren’t going to have a shot going down the stretch, but they do. They look to go into the break on a strong note with home games against Phoenix, Atlanta, and Vancouver.



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15. Philadelphia Flyers (28-25-3): The beginning of the week is going to be exciting with a Monday-Wednesday home and home with the Devils. Danny Carcillo’s mustache has two goals in the last five games.



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16. Detroit Red Wings (27-21-10): Maybe their injuries are a good excuse, but Wings fans are starting to worry that they might not see any playoff hockey this year.



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17. Dallas Stars (26-21-11): The Stars sit only three points out of the playoffs. Marty Turco is the biggest name being dangled, as Dallas could be looking to bolster its roster to make an honest run at the poststeason.


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18. Montreal Canadiens (28-26-6): The Habs can’t catch a break, can they? Brian Gionta and Andrei Markov have been settling in and playing well since their returns to the lineup but Mike Cammalleri is going to miss at least six weeks.


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19. New York Rangers (26-26-7): Henrik Lundqvist played out of his mind Saturday in a win over the Devils. He hopes the rest of the team —including newcomers Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust – will be motivated by his efforts.


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20. Anaheim Ducks (27-24-7): The Ducks can’t seem to put a streak together and run with it. Their four games before the Olympic break could determine whether or not they become buyers or sellers at the deadline.


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21. Atlanta Thrashers (25-24-8): Niclas Bergfors had a game-winning goal on Saturday in his second game as a Thrasher. Unfortunately, the fans are starting to get the message that Ilya Kovalchuk didn’t turn down all of those offers because of the money…


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22. Tampa Bay Lightning (25-21-11): Steven Stamkos is a huge reason this team is currently in a playoff spot. They’re 3-0 in February.



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23. Boston Bruins (24-22-11): The Bruins are another team teetering on the edge. Their 10 straight losses prior to Sunday’s shutout victory have made their season interesting.



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24. Florida Panthers (24-25-9): In spite of injuries and a weak offense, the Panthers are in playoff contention. Starting February 0-3 does not help, though.



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25. St. Louis Blues (25-24-9): The Blues have gone 4-4-2 in their last 10 and their playoff hopes are dimming. Maybe their promising young core needs another year.



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26. Columbus Blue Jackets (24-27-9): Well, they finally fired Ken Hitchcock. Is it really his fault that such a great coach can’t jump on the ice and put the puck in the net for his underachieving team?


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27. New York Islanders (23-27-8): The Isles just couldn’t keep it going. They sit in 13th in the east and are 2-8 in their last 10.



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28. Carolina Hurricanes (21-30-7): Hey Justin Peters, we’re all proud of you that won your first NHL start in goal. But the whole crying Oscar clip deal really ruined it.



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29. Toronto Maple Leafs (19-29-11): Just because an entire city wants its team in the playoffs doesn’t mean it happens. Not this year. Stop lying to yourselves.



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30. Edmonton Oilers (18-33-6): It seems that since no free agent wants to play in Edmonton, the team will tank purposely to get a top draft pick to grab a star player. We’re on to you!



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Last Updated on Monday, February 08, 2010 03:29