Pro or Con Bowl?

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve grown up in a Philadelphia sports family my entire life. And don’t get the commish wrong. He’s all for the new Pro Bowl format. But something is terribly wrong.

In the minds of even some of the most die-hard NFL fans, the Pro Bowl is an afterthought. The season climaxes at Super Bowl Sunday, enthralling the entire nation. And the sequel to the country’s most important pop culture holiday is…a parade of the league’s all-star players in a Hawaiian paradise? Instead, the commissioner, Roger Goodell, decided to make the sequel a prequel. On January 31, the week before the Super Bowl, the league’s best performers will meet in South Florida. Unfortunately, the players elected to the respective AFC and NFC squads from the Super Bowl-bound teams will instead prepare for the biggest game of their pro careers. Therefore, players like Drew Brees and Peyton Manning have to be replaced. It was announced on Monday that the likes of Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles), Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys), London Fletcher (Washington Redskins), David Garrard (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Shaun Ellis (New York Jets) would replace some of the notable elected participants.

Sure, Donovan had, statistically, his best season since the year of the title that Tom Brady strolled away with (yeah, 2004, for all you non-Philadelphian sports fans), but, obviously, the NFL didn’t feel it was a Pro Bowl worthy season. Until, of course, Drew Brees made the Super Bowl. These alternates may have deserved a shot at Pro Bowl glory, but that shot comes at a price. The players who play for, supposedly, the two best teams in the league, the teams who make it to the NFL’s most prestigious stage, don’t get the opportunity to play with the year’s other all-stars.

This only lessens the already diminishing value of a Pro Bowl with the fans. What’s a Pro Bowl without the participants of the Super Bowl? It’s like going to Phillies game to watch Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins play, and instead, you get the B-cast with Ross Gload, Ben Francisco, and John Mayberry. It’s just not the same.

While the Pro Bowl may not exactly be the most appealing event of the year to NFL fans, it’s not exactly in favor with the Super Bowl players, either. The NFL forced the players originally chosen to the Pro Bowl who couldn’t participate because of next Sunday’s championship to go to South Florida for the Pro Bowl festivities and to be recognized. This completely negates the experience of travelling with the team to the Super Bowl together, and instead, the Indianapolis Colts have had to modify their practice schedules to accommodate the changes. Players like Peyton Manning and the Colts front office petitioned the commissioner to be exempt from the commitment, but will not be granted the leave.

So while the NFL tries to increase the viewership of its lowest rated event, it further alienates them and the players, furthering its current lose-lose situation. Something must be done to fix this, and they could start by moving it back to Hawaii and letting the players who deserve to play, well, play.

Power Rankings: Week 18

1. (2) Sharks-They had a superb week beating Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Buffalo. Ultimately though to retain the top spot they will need to win their Thursday showdown with Chicago to hang on to the top spot.
2. (3) Capitals-They have dominated the opposition during their six-game win streak. Another strong week and a stumble by the Sharks and they could find themselves atop the rankings by next week.
3. (1) Blackhawks-If it were not for the outstanding play of the Sharks and Capitals this week the Blackhawks would still be atop the rankings. Despite playing well they did falter this past week against Ottawa and Vancouver. A win this Thursday against the Sharks and they could be back on top.
4. (9) Canucks-The Canucks have played absolutely amazing hockey since the turn of the calander. However, their biggest test will be in an excruciating 14 game road trip.
5. (6) Avalanche-Six straight wins has really helped the Avalanche climb up the rankings.
6. (5) Devils-They have had a rought start to the year that may see them fall soon. However, they had a decent week with wins against the Islanders and Panthers.
7. (7) Penguins-The Penguins had a realy chance to put themselves at least in the conversation this week with a win against the Capitals. However, a heartbreaking loss set them back a bit. The big win against the up-and-coming Flyers helped them maintain the status quo.
8. (4) Sabres-A brutal four game losing streak is the last thing Buffalo wanted. They need to put in a strong week to rectify last weeks mistakes.
9. (12) Kings-They put together two huge wins against the Sabres and Red Wings this week. Both of which may of just saved their season.
10. (18) Flyers-The Flyers are really moving up the rankings jumping eight spots. Right now they are beating every one they are supposed to. If they want to climb any further though they are going to need to beat some of the top teams like the Capitals and Penguins, who they recently lost to.
11. (15) Senators-Another very impressive week has helped the Senators move up the rankings. While they cannot keep this performance going forever, if they can keep some semblance of this going they could make some noise.
12. (10) Red Wings-There drop in the rankings had more to do with the play of the Flyers and Senators then anything else. They will get a chance to reisert themselves with games against Phoenix and Pittsburgh this week.
13. (11) Coyotes-I still cannot get over them being shellacked by a struggling Sabres team, especially when you couple it with a loss to Washington. This week will be huge in determining just who the Phoenix Coyotes are.
14. (9) Predators-They really have dug themselves a hole with their poor play this past week. They need a strong week to return to their former level.
15. (16) Ducks-They are off to a 1-1-0 start to their six game road trip. A win in Washington would go a long way.
16. (14) Flames-Calgary is in in panic mode with two more losses added to their already poor start to the new year.
17. (13) Islanders-They have a chance to regain their form with big games against the Capitals and Flyers this week.
18. (18) Wild-They put an end to their four-game skid with a win against the Blue Jackets. But let's be honest, your supposed to win against the Blue Jackets.
19. (17) Bruins-This was not the start the Bruins needed. You would never of guessed this was the same team that dominated the opposition in the regular season last year.
20. (20) Stars-The Stars will face the rising Avalanche and the falling Flames this week. The question is where do the Stars fall.
21. (26) Canadians-The Canadians seem to be two different teams. They is the one that fell to the Blues and the one that dominated the Rangers.
22. (19) Rangers-A three-game losing streak was the last thing they needed, especially that performance against Montreal. If you call that a performance.
23. (22) Blues-Simply another mediocre week for a mediocre team.
24. (23) Panthers-It really is baffling how they are managing to be second in their division. Could it be that the Thrashers, Lightning, and Hurricanes are in their division? The Capitals are the only thing keeping this division from being abysmal.
25.(25) Lightning-This would of been a great weak if not for the horrendous 2-8 showing against the Rangers.
26. (29) Hurricanes-They actually decide to play decent when the season is lost.
27. (24) Thrashers-There only win came this week came against the pitiful Maple Leafs.
28. (28) Blue Jackets-Lone win this week came against the struggling Bruins.
29. (27) Maple Leafs-They had some nice momentum last week and then this. week came.
30. (30) Oilers-They are just terrible.

Two Basketball Treats?

When I checked the props this morning, I found two props that seemed too good to be true (most times they are). Espn likes to put up matchups that seem like easy picks but end up being traps.

Today there are two of these:

#5 Michigan State(17-3) at Michigan (10-9): I tried to find out what the possible "trap" could be. Michigan is at home and they will have Manny Harris, their suspended guard, back in the lineup. Perhaps ESPN is putting this matchup up since they are broadcasting it and want a few extra viewers. That being said, I still heavily favor MSU or Michigan. MSU has aspirations of returning to the title game while Michigan has a lackluster record. MSU has won 16 of the last 19 meetings between these two teams. MSU is a 4 point favorite in this game, which admittedly is lower than I expected. Either way, although this does seem like a trap, I still like MSU in this matchup and they are my lock for today. I am excited to watch this game on ESPN.

#21 Clemson(15-5) at Boston College(11-9): This appears to be another "trap" game. Clemson is a 3 point favorite on the road and I like them in this game.

Unfortunately both games are in the 7pm time slot so you won't be able to pick them both, but both Clemson and MSU should win.

NFL: Losers Make a Difference in Haiti

On Sunday, Mark Sanchez may not have become the first rookie quarterback to lead a team to the Super Bowl, but he can take solace in the fact that his loss will lead to some good.

Prepared for every scenario, the NFL prints t-shirts, hats, and other apparel to celebrate playoff berths, postseason victories, and Super Bowl titles. The winners celebrate with their families on the field in oversized t-shirts and brand new caps. Fans flock to the stores in droves to be the first with their hands on the newest gear. And the winners go home in defeat, empty-handed. So what of the hundreds of printed shirts and hats that are voided by a team’s loss? Since 1994, the NFL has donated the losing team’s gear to World Vision, a charity that works in impoverished nations to improve the deplorable conditions of their daily lives. The apparel benefits a nation in need, and, in the past, the clothing has gone to children in Nicaragua, Romania, El Salvador, Chile, and Zimbabwe.

In light of the January 12 earthquake in Haiti, the NFL decided to donate that the excess apparel to the people of Haiti. According to a report by news outlet TMZ, a representative from the NFL Consumer Products Department was quoted as saying, "The shirts will be donated to World Vision and sent to Haiti." As the Indianapolis Colts celebrate their Super Bowl berth, the shirts that would have celebrated a New York Jets win are being packed up and sent to the relief effort in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital.

While the NFL is hardly donating the $57 million dollars celebrities like George Clooney raised during the recent Hope for Haiti Now telethon, they are contributing in a practical way unique to their practices. So when you visit Haiti and see children wearing shirts proclaiming the Jets 2010 AFC Champs, you’ll know they may not have won the ballgame back in the States, but they certainly have won in the hearts of the children whose lives they changed forever with a simple t-shirt.

Kevin Durant and Lebron battle it out

Did anybody see that game? Unfortunately I missed it but I caught the highlights and it just reinforced my belief that we are in a "Golden Age" of basketball right now. Kevin Durant is one lanky looking kid but boy can he play. Just think about it, he would have been a senior this year at Texas.

Which brings me to my next point, Texas are you fo real?

Texas's loss over Uconn last night has ended my unbeaten streak with my locks, but luckily the Trailblazers bailed me out of a close one last night to bring my overall record to 5-1

No more 2 locks a day for me, but today's lock is:
Pitt over Seton Hall: both teams swapped their last two opponents (Louisville and Georgetown), and yielded the same results against each team (wins over Louisville and losses to Georgetown). Seton Hall is at home but Pitt is 4-0 on the road with wins at 'Cuse and Uconn. This is the Big East and these games are always competitive and impossible to call but I like Pitt to bounce back and stay atop the Big East leaders.

Other Picks I like:
Penguins over Flyers
Clippers over Wizards

Happy Streakin, and don't forget to watch the football games on today!

The New CBA: 5 Things Teams will do to beat the system

With the current NFL collective bargaining agreement ending in March of next year, a perpetual lame duck league will almost certainly take place until an agreement can be made. But most signs post to an unfavorable agreement, perhaps even a lockout that will suspend play for the 2011 season. Whatever the case may be, the new agreement will almost assuredly be accompanied by a change in the way teams are run. Leaning more towards a baseball-like salary approach, the big market teams will start to recognize a greater advantage in acquiring and maintaining talent, as well as have more flexibility in the draft. So the question becomes, what can low-market teams do to lessen the blow of this new agreement? Below are 5 ways small-market teams can revolutionize the game and keep winning:

1. Control your region
- In college athletics, sometimes the biggest calling for a certain school is its location. If a player was born, went to high school, or lived in an area close to a certain school, they will almost certainly visit, if not commit to the school. So in the new-CBA world of the NFL, teams must starting taking control of its region. If a player goes to Nease High School in Jacksonville, Florida, the Jaguars should make it their mission to select the player. Now I realize with the draft, this isn't always possible, but if a team scouts a region a lot more than other teams, you find more home-picks to be taken. If the Jaguars are able to select an under the radar Florida player in the late rounds, or sign them undrafted, they could find a lot of steals.
-Also, teams should start taking advantage of their regions' talent who aren't in the draft. In this new-look NFL, player try-outs will start to become the norm in places like Buffalo, Oakland, and Green Bay. Talent off the streets will become as vital as the draft, even to the extent of manipulating talent (**essentially teams will begin to tell their "secret" regional talents to forgo the draft and wait an extra few years to be selected, enabling them to be signed directly as free agents). Basically teams will have to grow and utilize their own crops in order to compete with the rest of the league.

2. Win
-Teams with small markets need to take advantage of their current rosters and win as much as they can in the next few years. This will help them maintain talent as the fans back them, and help them to relieve some of the burden of the transition in the first few years.

3. Reduce necessary roster space/positions
-This is probably the most interesting of suggestions, and it is one that I have been a proponent of for a long time. Teams need to start getting creative with their rosters. Instead of having 5 backup offensive lineman, have 3 and teach defensive lineman to play the o-line. Instead of having 2 backup Qb's, draft or convert a former QB to another position and have him split time in practice between the two. I know that there is a large drop-off in talent when a player has to learn multiple positions, but in the new CBA age, teams will need to do anything they can in limiting the amount of money they spend on each player. Finally, and the most important one in my opinion, is to get rid of the "specialty" players. Now before you start yelling and telling me how important the special teams aspect of the game is, hear me out. Kickers, Punters, Longsnappers, kick-off specialists, and Gunners, are extremely important in this game, I agree. But too much rides on them to succeed. Do we honestly want a game played by tough men in the trenches be decided by a 5'10 180 pd. kicker who has been sitting on the sideline all game? I think not. Instead, in an effort to get more athletic people on the field and to cut costs, do away with these specialty positions. Instead, teach your back-up center and guard to long-snap. Teach your back-up wide receivers and cornerbacks to be gunners. Teach 3 people to punt and 3 people to kick on your team. Put FOOTBALL players in the most important spots and positions in the game. Most players come into the league with a background in kicking in high school, or even the skill-level to do so. I am willing to bet that a good number of the players in the NFL have the ability to kick 50 yard field goals. And in a game that thrive in repetion, teaching a player to kick should provide strong results (even one day leading to a possible 70 yard + consistent field goal kicker... hopefully).

4. Recruiting
-This is similar to the region step, but it goes a little bit further than that. In college, players go to school to one day make it big in the NFL; to one day hit a big paycheck. In the future of the NFL, teams that are in the lower-half of the league in terms of revenue need to take complete advantage of this. If a defensive end is the best available free agent and all the high market teams are already set in that position, you have to sell the player in terms of playing time. He won't play anywhere but your team and that will eventually lead to more money if he plays well. The same goes in the draft, as in the future, players will start to announce which teams they want to play for based on the playing time or market (i.e. Eli Manning). Basically, teams must start to find creative ways to sell their franchise (whether it is with big name coaches, movie stars, etc.).

5.Incentives/Taking a Chance
-Teams in this new age need to start offering more playing-based or tenured incentives (the longer the player is with your team, he gets a certain percentage increase every year; if a player gets 5 ints he get a 200,000 roster bonus, etc.). Also, teams can offer greater signing bonuses as it does not count against the cap (although the cap will likely be abolished).
-Teams also need to take chances. Every once in a while sign a guy they think will be a star to a big contract, or sign a lower prospect to take over as the starting runningback. All of these things are vital to surviving in the new NFL.

In the new NFL things will have to change, and in order for small market teams to win, they must adapt these 5 rules, or come up with methods to save their floundering franchises.

Who to Watch for Fantasy Basketball

1. Richard Hamilton - After a start plagued by injuries Hamilton is finally back and putting up big numbers. Despite having to work back into playing shape on a bad ankle, he has gone under 10 points only once since his return on December 27th. In January he is averaging 21 points 6 assists and 1 steal per game. In addition, Pistons point guard Rodney Stuckey has emerged more as a scorer and not a distributor which has led to a rise in the assist numbers for Hamilton.
2. Zach Randolph - The often criticized forward has seemed to have matured and found his niche on the Memphis Grizzlies. So far Randolph has played in every game for the surprising Grizzlies and has also scored in double digits in all but two of those games. He is averaging 24 points and 14 rebounds over the last 30 days and has gone for a double-double in 13 of his last 15 games.
3. Stephen Jackson - His season got off to an inauspicious when he publicly criticized his former coach, Don Nelson, for trying to play a crowded back court of Jackson, Monte Ellis, Anthony Morrow, and Stephen Curry. However, Jackson was traded early in the season to the guard loving, Larry Brown and the Charlotte Bobcats. Since the trade in October he has thrived. To date he is averaging 20 points, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds a game, including 24.4 points a game in January.
(all numbers are reflective of January 18th)

Texas over Connecticut

About a year ago, ESPN started a very interesting new service called Streak for the Cash that revolves around users selecting from a variety of propositions offered by ESPN. As long as I have been following Streak for the Cash (sftc) I have seen props ranging from simple pick the winner to draft specialized picks like will a player from the Big 10 be selected in the first 5 picks at the NFL draft. The goal is to develop a winning streak, as you hit milestone marks you are eligible for prizes and if you have the longest win streak at the end of the picking period, you win the grand prize.

If you take a close look at this system, it is really an ingenious way for ESPN to draw more attention to itself. They are self-promoting their products. By manipulating the propositions that are offered they draw more attention and add incentive for people to watch their network. For example, ESPN had a proposition for every single one of its Monday Night Football games. The added viewers and all the ads by Progressive surrounding sftc make the prizes ESPN gives out nothing more than a tiny blemish.

I have personally fallen victim to this beast. Streak for the Cash is the main reason I've started watching college basketball games, most of which are broadcast on ESPN (referring back to what I mentioned earlier).

The actual rules of the game changes from season to season. During this year the rules are set up so that players play monthly, meaning that the leaderboards and streaks are reset on the first of each month. The person with the highest win streak for that month receives a more than considerate prize of $100,000. Being that it is the 23rd of January today, that doesn't leave to much time for players to get their picks in.


However, I will continue to post my favorite propositions that are pretty damn close to if not complete "locks".

Currently I am 4-0 with my locks (Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Deron Williams and Boozer, and the Chicago Blackhawks)

With that being said, my lock for today is: Texas over Connecticut at 4pm
I haven't heard if Calhoun is back for Uconn or not but either way I think Texas will bounce back from losing to Kansas State earlier in the week.

This is a rarity, usually I would never do two locks in one day but this is to good to pass up.
My second lock of the day: Trailblazers over Pistons: I haven't had the best luck with NBA games but Pistons are abysmal this year and trailblazers are headed in the right direction.

Other picks I like (but not guaranteeing) :
Kansas over Syracuse (bigger winning margin): too late for it now anyway

Orlando Magic over Charlotte Bobcats: Bobcats are seeking a playoff spot but the Magic are on a different tier than them. The Magic have won three straight over mediocre teams after losing three in a row to legitimate contenders before that. Orlando is a 1.5 point favorite (oddsmaker)


Good luck picking pickers!

NFL Playoff Divisional Round Recap

Week two of the playoffs have had its fair share of memorable moments since the inception of seeding in 1975. From the "tuck rule" to 4th and 26, even to the end of the RCA dome in the 2008 divisional playoff round. But as we move forward to the 2010 divisional playoff round, the stories shifted from the amazing to the improbable. Teams that were self-pronounced ghosts mere weeks ago have put M Knight Shyamalan to shame. But was this weekend more about the resurrection of the youth in the league, or the resurgence of the old? With Brett Favre's 4 touchdown passes (3 to a reinvigorated Sidney Rice), Peyton Manning's complete control, and Drew Brees' flawless execution, many would argue this is the year for the veterans. But these playoffs have had a flair of the nostalgic nicely mixed in with the youthful injection. With the weekend beginning with the signing of Saint idol Deuce Mcallister to a one day contract, and ending with a young southern-Californian Mark Sanchez taking care of the team he watched dispatch Peyton Manning in last year's playoffs (from the endzone in which he threw his only td pass), the league has been filled with thrills on and off the field. A quick recap of the individual games:

Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
-It's funny how the playoffs can redefine a player. And when I say redefine, I mean
totally bring a player out of the national cellar. Did you SEE Reggie Bush in that game? It was almost as if Reggie was telling Pete Carroll he is making the wrong move coming to the pro game if he has to face THAT Reggie every few years. But in all seriousness, the Saints have found out the perfect way to utilize him all season, as a more slot-type b-back in a traditional t-bone offense (without the option for the most part), allowing him space to run and use the talent he displayed in Southern California. The Saints pulled out all the stops from flee-flickers to punt returns to solid running in crunch time to seal the deal. Watch out for them in the next round, their 3-week "layoff" has paid off. Look for Kurt Warner and Boldin's futures to be decided sometime around the draft. The Cardinals have played well all year and they have a very young team with a bright future. They need to address the backup quarterback situation in the draft and they should continue to be a force in the future.

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts
-In a very Colt-like playoff performance, the ball was put in the air 44 times, leading to a very dominating win by the Colts. On a somewhat off-day for Manning, the Colts used a strong defensive effort (even by members of the offense), and terrorized the beat-up Flacco into mistakes and inefficiency. After the Colts blew their chance at a perfect season against the Jets (against whom they play next week), they are hungry to make a difference in these playoffs, and prove everyone in the NFL that they made the right decision. I won't write anymore about them, well, because that is just the way they'd like it... short, sweet, under the radar.

And now to not burn the toast: (the games that have been talked about ad naseum and quite frankly, you know everything about them already, so it makes no sense to beat a dead Cowbo.. i mean... horse...

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings
-Old dude beats young dude who idolized old dude when young dude was too young to play professionally.

New York Jets at San Diego Chargers
-A fat guy who said the team was dead beats the team that had won 11 straight because of a 12 year-old kicker and a southern California guy who should still be in school.

Now all we have to do is wait and dream for the many spectacular endings to a very strange and eventful 2009-2010 NFL season.

Welcome

Hello everyone!

First of all I'd like to welcome you guys to our newly renovated 360sportblog. Started 3 years ago by Ian S and myself, this blog now welcomes some new and bright stars in the blogging scene. As you continually follow our site, you will notice the vast variety that all of the articles will bring to the table. From basketball to hockey, football, and baseball (just to name a few), our blog will help you become more knowledgeable and impressive in your sports knowledge. Hopefully you will return each day, week, and month to see the best that this blog has to offer.

Thank you for reading and enjoy the circle-to-circle coverage provided by the 360sport blog.

NHL Power Rankings

1. Blackhawks-Chicago's superb play at home has been a large part of their success this year. Already off to a 2-0-0 start on their 8 game road trip they have entrenched themselves in the number 1 spot until we see otherwise.
2. Sharks-Right now San Jose is Chicago's biggest threat. If they survive the grueling next three games (Kings, Ducks, Sabres), they will have a chance to take over the number 1 spot next Thursday (28th) with a showdown against Chicago.
3. Capitals-Ovechkin's strong play has kept the Capitals among the leagues elite.
4. Sabres-Buffalo's 8-0-2 record in the past 10 games should act as a springboard before facing San Jose on Saturday.
5. Devils-The dropped the ball again by losing to the Islanders. They have given up 11 goals while only scoring 4 in the past three games resulting in loses to the Coyotes, Avalanche, and Islanders.
6. Avalanche-They have outscored opponents 16-5 in the past four games despite being outshot 143-113 the past four games. The luck is sure to run out at some point if that number doesn't change.
7. Penguins-The Penguins have struggled on the power play mightily in January scoring four times on 80 tries. That is not gonna get it done against the Capitals this week, let alone the Islanders.
8. Canucks-The Canucks managed to lose 3-2 for three straight games. They need a strong showing against Chicago to avoid a steep fall.
9. Predators-Excluding a recent slip up against Toronto, the Predators have played well enough to keep them among the second tier.
10. Red Wings-Their pedestrian road record is what prevents them from being higher on this list.
11. Coyotes-Just when all looks lost they come up with wins against Minnesotta and New Jersey. However it doesn't look good when the last time you gave up less than three goals was 10 games ago on December 29th.
12. Kings-The Kings are creeping closer and closer to mediocrity. This looks to be about their ceiling for the year.
13. Islanders-Their 7-2-1 record in the past 10 games has put them in the playoff picture, however a -15 goal differential doesn't help your case.
14. Flames-Just a fortnight ago they boasted a 25-12-5 record. Things have taken a hit for the worst winning just 1 of their past 8. They need to right the ship quick or playoffs may be out of the question.
15. Senators-They put a dent in that ugly 5 game losing-streak with a 3 games win-streak. A win tonight in Chicago would certainly help.
16. Ducks-Talk about a tough division. The Ducks have gone 3-10-2 in their division and 19-10-5 in all other games.
17. Bruins-A 3-3-3 record in January is not what the crippling Bruins were looking for in the new year.
18. Flyers-Their recent 6-3-1 surge has given them some semblance of playoff hopes.
19. Rangers-If not for their big win against Montreal the Rangers from a freefall.
20. Stars-Auld will get the nod in net after the recent abysmal performance of Turco. You really can't get much worse that what you were getting out of Turco but Dallas fans shouldn't get their hopes up.
21. Wild-The Wild quickly erased their four game win-streak with a three game skid.
22. Blues-The Blues looked to turn the corner with a four game winning streak following a 7 game losing streak. This week will go a long way toward telling us who the real Blues are.
23. Panthers-Recent performance could move them up a few spots. Another strong week and Florida will shoot up the rankings.
24. Thrashers-Atlanta just can't seem to get anything going at times. The bright side is they have gone .500 in the six games after dropping 9 straight.
25. Lightning-If they can manage to win 2 of the next 3 games this week that will go a long way towards dictating the season.
26. Canadians-By the way the Canadians play you wouldn't even know if their offense was on the ice.
27. Maple Leafs-After looking terrible against Washington the Leafs showed a glimpse of mediocrity with a big win against a strong Nashville team on the road.
28. Blue Jackets-Their three game win-streak was quickly offset by a 3 game skid.
29. Hurricanes-Carolina showed some promise with a 3 game win-streak headlined by a win against Colorado only to drop their next 3.
30. Oilers-It is almost as if they are trying to lose as the Oilers managed one win in 10 tries culminated by a 6-0 shellacking at the hands of Colorado.