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 Monday, February 14
All-Star checkpoint on road to Cup
 


 Feb. 8, 2000

Consider the All-Star break as a respite from the usual standards of judgment. With a little more than a third of the season remaining, ESPN.com gives its odds-on favorites to win the Stanley Cup. The top five may not surprise, but we're giving a few teams a fighting chance that many wouldn't at this point in time. Some may take exception, while others will surely rejoice. To right any wrongs in these rankings, click here and give us a few Rank Comments of your own.

Team PVS W-L-T-RT Odds ESPN.com says
1.   Wings 2 31-16-6-1 Even Despite recent mediocrity, '99 failure a pause for this dynasty's swan song, which should end with a title.
2.   Devils 4 33-15-5-4 5-2 So good. But peaking too soon? Coach should give Martin Brodeur more of a rest down the stretch.
3.   Blues 1 33-14-6-0 3-1 If any team is set to do more than in the past, it's this bunch. No one will want to play them in the playoffs.
4.   Flyers 7 26-15-10-1 3-1 It's make or break for Philly, and if Eric Lindros is broken in any way, fuuhhhhhgedahboudit.
5.   Stars 6 29-19-5-2 4-1 Can Kirk Muller and Scott Thornton make up for Pat Verbeek's absence? It'll be close.
6.   Avalanche 17A 26-20-8-1 8-1 Everyone's waiting for this team to bust out. Peter Forsberg's health may be in doubt all season.
7.   Leafs 5 30-18-6-3 10-1 Why does everyone underrate this team? Playoffs are like a mutual fund disclaimer: Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
8.   'Yotes 8 29-18-6-1 10-1 If the Keith Tkachuk debacle gets settled, it's a maybe. Trading him would be worse than trying to make him happy.
9.   Panthers 9 30-18-4-3 12-1 Without a healthy Bure, the odds more than quadrouple. The odds of him getting hurt are factored into this number.
10. Capitals 3 25-18-8-1 15-1 Definitely sold on the solid play and heart of this team, but not enough ammo to make a serious run.
11. Penguins 21 23-25-4-5 15-1 Hiring of Czech coach one of the most creative front-office moves in years. A content Jaromir Jagr is a dangerous one.
12. Sabres 23 21-25-7-1 15-1 With Dominik Hasek or new talent through a trade, they'll be better. If they get in, Sabres will be tough once again.
13. Senators 17B 25-19-9-2 50-1 Vanilla. Beige. Senators. Bland. Also, Magnus Arvedson will be missed and likely won't be back soon.
14. Kings 17F 23-21-7-3 75-1 Health is a concern, but Kings could be a sleeper with better odds if goaltending has strong finish.
15. Flames 17C 23-24-6-2 89-1 Start of a string of sentimental odds. Last Cup win was 1989. Same will be said next summer.
16. Oilers 17D 18-22-13-7 90-1 Say a quick prayer for these guys to make it. Oilers always make the playoffs fun.
17. Rangers 17E 23-23-7-3 94-1 Until Rangers knock off juggernauts like Philly and New Jersey, few will put money on this pricey bet.
18. Ducks 17G 22-24-8-1 100-1 Two men does not a title make. Wasn't the power play supposed to be even better with Oleg Tverdovsky?
19. Sharks 28 22-27-7-7 80-1 You can't completely give up on these guys. Sharks are another spoiler-type team that others want to avoid.
20. 'Canes 18 21-25-8-0 150-1 If Carolina can't get back to .500, they'll be competing with the Isles for late-season attendance numbers.
21. Bruins 17H 18-22-14-4 No line Last hope is that Jason Allison has a miraculous recovery.
22. Predators 22 20-28-6-4 314-1 Preds aren't going to make it, but several playoff teams will breath a collective sigh of relief.
23. Canadiens 19 18-26-7-2 331-1 See above.
24. 'Hawks 20 18-28-7-2 400-1 Tony Amonte and Doug Gilmour are two guys everyone would like to see on a competitive team. It won't happen this season.
25. Islanders 24 13-33-6-1 499-1 In an era where pro sports ownership is in high demand, Isles look like a used puck bag on sale for millons.
26. Canucks 25 15-27-10-6 500-1 First Mark Messier pun of the year: What a Mess; he'll be gone before it's over.
27. Lightning 26 12-33-6-5 No line This team would like to strike at least once.
28. Thrashers 27 11-35-6-4 No chance Thrashing can be a desperation move before drowning.
 



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