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