| 
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.
 |