Smacchat Top-10 Power Rankings...

One week after the New Jersey Devils became the class of the NHL after having won nine in a row, they went into the dumpster losing three of four. The Detroit Red Wings, meanwhile, continue to be the class of the league winning eight of their last nine games. At the other end of the spectrum, the Los Angeles Kings have sunk to the bottom of the league, losing three straight. In the big picture perhaps that’s not such a bad thing, especially if they win the lottery and are able to draft Steven Stamkos.

1. Detroit - Dan Cleary continues to evolve as one of the NHL’s best two-way performers and is on pace for back-to-back 20-goal seasons.

2. Ottawa - The funk is over. After suffering seven losses in a row, the Senators have rebounded to win five straight. Jason Spezza has been red-hot, registering nine points in three games.

3. Boston - Very quietly the Bruins, minus star forward Patrice Bergeron, have risen to fourth overall in the standings. Alex Auld is taking advantage of what may be his last shot at staying in the NHL, winning three of his first four starts for the B’s.

4. Dallas - With five goals and nine points in his last four games, Mike Ribeiro suddenly looks like a legitimate No. 1 center.

5. San Jose - After going minus-4 in an embarrassing 7-1 home loss to Buffalo Dec. 8, Joe Thornton had four points in his next three starts.

6. Minnesota - Marian Gaborik has goals in his last two outings after going five straight games without scoring.

7. New Jersey - Patrik Elias had just one assist in his last four games. The Devils need him to find his game in order to find theirs.

8. Colorado - Sophomore Paul Stastny continues to assert himself as one of the NHL’s best scorers as the Avs rip off four wins in five games.

9. Vancouver - Curtis Sanford has played well in Roberto Luongo’s absence, but the longer Luongo is out with a rib injury, the further the Canucks will fall in the standings. That’s what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket.

10. Calgary - Jarome Iginla (seven goals, 10 points in four games) and Kristian Huselius (five goals, 11 points in three games) have the Flames on their longest winning streak of the season (five games).

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