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Monday, March 20
Updated: March 27, 12:09 PM ET
 
Logjam at NHL's top



March 20, 2000

The Blues are back on top. And their win Monday night over the Caps solidified it, even if Olaf Kolzig didn't play. ESPN.com couldn't repeat its feat of skipping the middle teams, but once again, after the Devils and Leafs, the pickings get mighty slim.

ESPN.com's secret formula has taken it all into account. To right any wrongs, click here and give us a few Rank Comments of your own. Also, check out which ESPN.com user had his or her Rankings chosen. If you don't like either one, make up your own, and the best will be published next week.

Team PVS W-L-T-RT ESPN.com says
1.   Blues 2 45-17-9-0 No one doubts this team. But in two weeks, they'll have to prove themselves all over again.
1A.  Capitals 3 39-22-11-1 Few know more than five guys on the Caps. Who cares? No-name offense + No-name defense = Big-time winners.
3.   Stars 5 40-25-8-4 Message to fringe teams: Don't even bother qualifying. The way they look now, the Stars will smoke just about anyone in a series.
4.   Wings 1 43-22-8-2 Will Ken Wregget be the No. 1 guy come playoff time? Entire season will depend on the goaltending.
5.   Avalanche 4 34-28-11-1 Smokin' Joe Sakic hitting his stride. If only Peter Forsberg could get hot. Then we'll start talkin' Cup.
6.   Flyers 7 38-22-12-2 More daytime soap than NHL team. Cancer. Pills. Young kids inspiring old guys. It's not in vogue, but start rooting for Lindros, Neilson and the whole bunch.
7.   Devils 8 41-24-8-5 Message to Scott Niedermayer: If you're scared Peter Worrell is gonna beat the crap out of you, just skate away. It's smarter ... and more brave.
8.   Leafs 6 40-25-7-3 Losing to Atlanta at home? And then Mats Sundin says it happens sometimes? Not to championship teams.
9.   'Hawks 24 28-36-8-2 Who's playing better? We can't hear you. Speak up. Nothing's on the line, but so what? Hawks are actually fun to watch right now.
10. Predators 22 26-40-7-7 Not as fun to watch, but just as tough to play. Wins on the road are a real boost to end a tough year.
11. Kings 10 34-29-9-4 Every time it gets exciting, someone gets hurt. Don't plan on doing much without Ziggy Palfy.
12. Senators 9 35-25-11-2 It's too easy to criticize the trade of Ron Tugnutt. But what else is there to say? The Penguins thank you.
13. Panthers 15 37-30-5-5 Pavel Bure may win the Hart Trophy. But the Panthers better get a heart soon, or it could be a short postseason.
14. Oilers 19 27-30-16-8 Don't count these guys out. But home loss to Calgary could haunt them later on.
15. Ducks 16 30-31-12-2 Forget about Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne. Goalie Guy Hebert will dictate whether the Ducks make the playoffs.
16. Canadiens 17 31-33-8-3 Giving new meaning to "smoke and mirrors." Now, Benoit Brunet is hurt. How do these guys do it?
17. Penguins 20 30-34-8-6 See, even less than 100 percent, Jaromir Jagr helps out. Tom Barrasso once brought Pens glory, but a fresh start may be a good thing.
18. Canucks 23 25-33-14-8 Like a cockroach, these guys just won't die. And they may survive some higher-profile species and make the playoffs.
19. Sabres 12 29-34-10-3 Two bold trades and then goaltending goes in the tank? Tough luck. See you next year.
20. 'Yotes 11 35-29-7-2 Giving new meaning to "Going in the tank." Phoenix is only three points from No. 8 out West.
21. Sharks 14 30-34-9-7 He's been starting a lot of games, but isn't it a little odd that Steve Shields didn't play in Dallas? Wasn't that an important game?
22. Flames 18 29-36-8-5 Despite win over the Oilers, Flames still have two teams to hurdle just to get to No. 9.
23. 'Canes 13 30-32-10-0 Only one point last week, plus they face Devils and Blues this week. If Canes can steal one of those, the schedule gets a little easier.
24. Rangers 21 29-34-11-3 Going 1-4-1 in their last six and blowing a third-period lead vs. the Penguins isn't very encouraging.
25. Lightning 27 17-46-8-7 Don't dwell on losses. How about wins in Montreal and New Jersey? That's something to build on.
26. Thrashers 28 13-51-6-4 Anyone complaining about the Bruins being below the Thrashers should ask: Could the Bruins beat Toronto in Toronto?
27. Bruins 26 22-33-17-6 See above. (Editor's note: Obviously still smarting from Ray's departure.)
28. Islanders 25 21-43-8-1 Somebody has to be last. Why not the Isles? They're usd to it.





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