Over the past week, Olli Jokinen became the all time leader in goals and points for the Florida Panthers. Jokinen now has 181 career goals and 403 points. The heart and soul and the one main constant throughout the years for the Panthers has been Jokinen. He has the most game winning goals in the league since 2002 with 31, topping the likes of Jarome Iginla and Mats Sundin. At only 28 years old, his future looks promising, but just how well could he do on a halfway decent team?
Al Arbour coached his 1500th career game Saturday night for the New York Rangers. The team that made him famous gave him the opportunity to coach this milestone game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders won 3-2 as Miroslav Satan netted 2 goals, including the game winner with 2:41 remaining.
Chris Osgood is on fire right now. Living up to the Red Wings motto “Fire on Ice,” he has won all 7 games this year, extending his regular season regulation unbeaten streak to 14-0-5, dating back to last year. As Red Wings own Ken Daniels said, “He has not lost since the 1st of Neverary.” The 19 game regulation unbeaten streak is the 2nd longest in his career, only to his previous Red Wings record 21 game streak set in 1994-95. The longest unbeaten streak by a goaltender, 32 games, was set in 1971 by Gary Cheevers of the Boston Bruins.
30. Edmonton Oilers(-6) 5-9-0: The Oilers have been playing the worst hockey right now. The power play continues to be at a stellar 5.6%. At least they are 3-0 in shootouts…
29. Washington Capitals(-6) 5-8-0: They are ranked ahead of Edmonton because the power play is better. A 7-1 win doesn’t hurt either, but its been the only of late.
28. Atlanta Thrashers 5-9-0(+2): They have played much better of late, and another 2-1 week moves them out of the cellar. Kovalchuk has two consecutive hat tricks as well.
27. Phoenix Coyotes(+2) 5-7-0: They are 4-1 away from home. The Coyotes are going to like the month of November.
26. Florida Panthers 6-8-0(+2): Go Olli Jokinen go! That’s all Florida has going for them right now.
25. Predators 6-7-0(+2): The only thing that the Preds proved is that they can beat the bottom feeders in the league. The key is that backup Dan Ellis won them all.
24. Toronto Maple Leafs(-5) 6-6-3: When they lose, they allow a bunch of goals. I’m amazed how the defense can show up one night, and then play like a junior team the next.
23. Buffalo Sabres(-5) 5-6-1: They are very, very streaky. My guess is last weeks two losses will be followed by three wins next week. If not, they will fall more.
22. Tampa Bay Lightning(-9) 5-7-1: The wheels have fallen off in Tampa, losers of five straight. Remember I said I wasn’t sold on Holmqvist? His save percentage is a .829, allowing 19 goals over the past four games.
21. Los Angeles Kings(+1) 7-8-0: Playing much better of late, 5-2 the last seven. Can they make a run in the struggling Pacific division?
20. Anaheim Ducks(+1) 6-7-2: Only one road win in North America this year, and it came last night vs. Phoenix, capping off a 2-0 week. Good thing they have a four game home stand coming up.
19. Vancouver Canucks(+1) 5-7-0: Vancouver, horrible at home, what!? They are 1-6. What happened? Luongo is allowing 2.92 GAA, up a bit from last years 2.64. The top players need to play defense too.
18. New Jersey Devils(+7) 5-6-2: Their big jump is due to teams behind them not playing too great. The Devils went 2-0-1 the past week, but need to up the power play with one goal over that time.
17. Dallas Stars(-6) 5-6-2: Somehow, the Stars managed to give up 14 goals in their three game losing streak. Now they have a four game road trip. Uh ohh.
16. Boston Bruins(-6) 7-5-0: Boston doesn’t fare well against the top teams. That means getting out shot 45-19. 4 of the next 5 are at home, where their record is 4-1.
15. Chicago Blackhawks(+2) 7-6-0: The Hawks have rebounded nicely from a three game losing streak. If only they could win more at home.
14. New York Rangers(+12) 6-6-1: One of the few lower ranked teams winning of late. Lundqvist is playing great, allowing 2 goals in the past 3 games.
13. Pittsburgh Penguins(+2) 6-6-1: Fleury may be struggling, but he shouldn’t be riding the bench for Sabourin, when Sabourin is playing the same. Fleury is the future, hes only 22.
12. New York Islanders(+4) 7-4-0: Al Arbour is magical. Well, it was only one win, but a 2-0 week, after an 8-3 loss last Saturday, bumps them up a bit.
11. St. Louis Blues(-4) 7-5-0: Two games this past week were lost by one goal each. In those two games, combined 0-10 on the power play. Might want to regain that early season magic.
10. San Jose Sharks(+4) 7-6-1: After two wins and one loss the past week, they still have been outscored on the season. They have not won a game when the opponent scores 3 or more goals.
9. Calgary Flames(-1) 6-5-3: Playing the top to teams in the West proved to be not so good. Jarome Iginla was a no show; the captain needs to get rolling again.
8. Colorado Avalanche(+5) 8-5-0: Eight wins is tied for 3rd in the NHL. They have also won 4 of the past 5. They might want to improve their stink 2-4 road record though.
7. Columbus Blue Jackets 7-3-3(+2): The Jackets continue to amaze. Rick Nash is on a roll, and Leclaire still doesn’t lose.
6. Montreal Canadiens 7-3-3: Power play is top in the league, and one loss in regulation in the past seven games. Saku Koivu’s leadership and talent should lead them far.
5. Philadelphia Flyers 8-4-0: They have shown up to play on some nights and not on others of late. The chance to build some momentum comes on next weeks road trip.
4. Minnesota Wild 8-4-2(-1): They had previously lost 5 games before defeating Calgary on Saturday. They REALLY struggle without Gaborik and Backstrom.
3. Carolina Hurricanes 8-3-3(+1): This team is loaded with goal scorers right now. Their division lead could drastically increase with the next 10 of 12 being divisional opponents.
2. Ottawa Senators(-1) 11-1-0: While they are atop the NHL standings, 8 of 12 games have been played at home. The are not tested on the road until December.
1. Detroit Red Wings(+1) 11-2-1: They accomplished their first sweep of Western Canada in team history after 27 years of trying. Also winners of 7 of 8.
Because of the Red Wings’ recent road trips out West, they move up to the #1 spot. They have played tougher teams than Ottawa and most of them on the road. With a combined 6-1 road trip, only losing to the defending Stanley Cup Champs, shows they may be the frontrunner for the west this year.
Source: (SI.com)
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