NHL rankings
1. Detroit: Not the most points, but still the league's best team in big games.
2. San Jose: Had only one regulation victory in six games before beating Islanders.
3. Boston: Zdeno Chara makes case for Norris consideration with lock-down defensive play.
4. Washington: 40-game record (26-11-3) is club's best in 35-year history.
5. Chicago: Bounced back to handle Calgary after disappointing Winter Classic loss.
6. Calgary: Quietly went 7-1-3 over 11-game stretch before loss at Chicago.
7. Philadelphia: 2-2-1 on a trip that ends Tuesday in Washington.
8. Montreal: Continue to struggle to beat mediocre teams at home.
9. New Jersey: Coach Brent Sutter coaches against his son, Carolina's Brandon, on Tuesday.
10. N.Y. Rangers: Allowed 12 shorthanded goals compared to none by Detroit, Dallas and Philadelphia.
11. Vancouver: Play-by-play announcers must be in fear of a line putting (Mats) Sundin with the Sedin twins (Henrik and Daniel).
12. Anaheim: Offense will be lacking without Corey Perry (four-game suspension) and Teemu Selanne (thigh).
13. Carolina: Hanging tough despite getting outscored by 11 goals on season.
14. Buffalo: Buffalo native Tim Kennedy (Michigan State) was in awe in Sabres' debut.
15. Pittsburgh: Stanley Cup finalist loses 6-1 at home to Florida, now 5-10-0 in last 15.
16. Dallas: Steve Ott is back, but he can't fight because his hand is still healing.
17. Edmonton: Leading scorer Ales Hemsky having headaches since getting run into boards.
18. Phoenix: Chairman and CEO Jeff Shumway insists team not ready to bolt despite rumors/reports of extreme financial woes.
19. Minnesota: Playing standout defenseman Brent Burns at forward for six weeks looks foolish in retrospect.
20. Columbus: Only 18 power-play goals to Detroit's 44.
21. Nasvhille: Scored 20 goals in last 13 games, held to one or zero in five of last eight.
22. Colorado: Coach Tony Granato shakes up lines then Avs get shutout by Minnesota Wild.
23. Florida: Brett McLean denies being asked to fight by Sidney Crosby before Crosby jumped him.
24. Toronto: Rookie center John Mitchell gets some time on the No. 1 line.
25. Los Angeles: Jonathan Quick makes 31 saves in impressive 2-1 shootout win over Philadelphia.
26. Ottawa: Have won 31 of last 85 games going back to Jan. 1, 2008.
27. Tampa Bay: Power play had recent 5-for-56 stretch (8.9 percent).
28. St. Louis: Lost 10-of-12 before knocking off Columbus on Saturday.
29. Atlanta: Ilya Kovalchuk went career-high nine games without a goal.
30. N.Y. Islanders: Possible trade bait Doug Weight (Warren) insists he doesn't want to leave.
