Sabres Storm Back to the Top

Although they certainly haven't been as dominant as they were when starting the season 10–0, the Buffalo Sabres have been quite impressive in recent weeks, demonstrating tremendous resiliency in moving back to the top of the The New York Sun's Power Rankings. And that they have done so despite suffering numerous injuries makes their staying power all the more noteworthy.

During last year's playoffs, four of the Sabres' top six defensemen were lost to injury, and the effect was devastating. Yet the indefatigable Buffalo squad still managed to push the eventual Cup champion Hurricanes to a seventh game in the Eastern Conference Finals.

This year, the spate of injuries has been better timed, for at least GM Darcy Regier still has nearly two weeks to restock the roster before the trade deadline passes on February 27. One likely candidate to be imported is Los Angeles Kings rearguard Aaron Miller, a Buffalo native and longtime representative of Team USA in international competition.

After last year's debacle, it'll be a huge surprise if Regier stands pat at the deadline. But even if he does, this hard-working, speedy club will definitely be a big favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the Cup Finals when the playoffs begin in early April.

So here's how the teams line up this week. Statistically, teams are measured from left to right by games played, W–L–OTL, standings points, goals scored, goals allowed, power play success, and penalty-killing success. Please note that the data include games played on Tuesday night, and that our statistics for special teams effectiveness also take shorthanded goals into account. Each team's ranking from last week appears in parentheses.

1 BUFFALO SABRES (2): Tim Connolly's comeback from concussion-related symptoms suffered another setback Tuesday; a stress fracture in his leg will keep him off the ice for at least a week, and perhaps longer.
57 38–15–4 80 212 163 14.5%83.4%

2 NASHVILLE PREDATORS (1): The Predators added some valuable toughness to their blue line over the weekend, acquiring Vitali Vishnevski from the Atlanta Thrashers. Without question, GM David Poile as assembled one of the league's most complete lineups.
57 38–16–3 79 196 146 16.4% 89.1%

3 DETROIT RED WINGS (3): Monday's 6–1 shellacking at the hands of the 30th-ranked Flyers exposed the Wings' biggest flaw: their dependence upon 42-year-old goaltender Dominik Hasek, who is currently sidelined with an inflamed right wrist.
58 36–16–6 78 178 143 13.4%86.2%

4 NEW JERSEY DEVILS (5): The facial injury John Madden suffered last weekend won't require surgery, which is great news for the Devils. Without their shutdown checking line center, their Cup hopes would have suffered an enormous blow.
56 34–16–6 74 149 133 14.6%85.5%

5 SAN JOSE SHARKS (6): The Sharks nearly blew a four-goal lead against the Blues on Tuesday night, but held on to win 6–5. If this talented young team has a weakness, it's on the blue line. Would Kings veteran Rob Blake accept a transfer to Northern California?
56 36–19–1 73 176 137 22.6%86.5%

6 ANAHEIM DUCKS (4): The struggling Ducks are 3–7–1 in their last 11 games, and the problem is a serious lack of scoring depth. Peter Forsberg could be the perfect solution, but will the Ducks be willing to meet the Flyers' asking price (see below)?
57 33–16–8 74 182 145 19.6% 86.1%

7 DALLAS STARS (8): The acquisition of Ladislav Nagy made good sense for the Stars, who badly needed an infusion of offensive skill. And the signing of backup goalie Mike Smith to a contract extension gives starter Marty Turco a valuable safety net.
56 34–20–2 70 152 137 16.6%84.8%

8 PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (10): Entering last night's tilt with the Blackhawks, the Pens were 11–0–2 in their last 13 games and by far the league's hottest team. Rumors abound that Panthers forward Gary Roberts will be imported to provide veteran leadership.
55 29–17–9 67 190 171 17.5% 83.2%

9 CALGARY FLAMES (7): Darryl Sutter showed once again why he is one of the league's shrewdest GMs, adding three quality veterans (Craig Conroy, Brad Stuart, and Wayne Primeau) well in advance of the trade deadline.
57 30–19–8 68 178 149 16.4%84.5%

10 VANCOUVER CANUCKS (11): Roberto Luongo is poised to make his first-ever appearance in the postseason. But if captain Markus Naslund can't carry the load on a second offensive line to complement the Sedin Twins, the Canucks won't go far in the playoffs. 56 31–21–4 66 147 143 15.3%89.4%

11 OTTAWA SENATORS (12): Hotheaded goaltender Ray Emery didn't like the way Maxim Lapierre crashed his crease on Saturday, and so he slashed the Habs forward in the face. The result, a three-game suspension, could rob the Sens of valuable momentum.
57 32–22–3 67 191 154 13.5% 87.9%

12 MINNESOTA WILD (15): The red-hot Wild are 7–2–1 in their last 10 games, due in no small part to the strong play of dynamic winger Marian Gaborik. As long as he remains healthy, the Wild should reach the postseason for the second time in franchise history.
57 31–22–4 66 162 147 14.6% 87.9%

13 ATLANTA THRASHERS (9): Swapping blueliner Vitali Vishnevski for speedy pivot Eric Belanger was a great move by GM Don Waddell. Look for the speedy center to play alongside either Marian Hossa or Ilya Kovalchuk on one of the top two lines.
60 30–21–9 69 182 189 13.1% 79.1%

14 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (14): With 24 games remaining, emerging star center Vincent Lecavalier has already set a career high for goals (with 37), and is only two points shy of his personal best (78).
58 32–24–2 66 184 176 16.4% 81.2%

15 MONTREAL CANADIENS (13): The reeling Canadiens have lost four consecutive games and are in danger of slipping out of playoff position. It seems apparent that GM Bob Gainey desperately needs to pull off a big deal to shake up his struggling team.
58 29–23–6 64 165 169 20.6%89.2%

16 CAROLINA HURRICANES (17): The 'Canes have now essentially traded top defense prospect Jack Johnson for underachiever Jozef Vasicek and secondpair rearguard Tim Gleason in what could well go down as one of the worst moves in NHL history.
59 29–23–7 65 179 185 14.2%85.6%

17 NEW YORK ISLANDERS (18): Winger Jason Blake has given the Isles a "pay me or trade me" ultimatum. And if GM Garth Snow can't get the irascible forward signed to a contract extension, he'll likely be dealt in advance of the trade deadline.
57 27–22–8 62 167 162 13.7% 82.8%

18 TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (16): The Leafs thoroughly outplayed the Islanders on Tuesday night, but a stellar performance by Isles netminder Rick DiPietro earned his team a thrilling 3–2 shootout victory over Mats Sundin and company.
57 27–22–8 62 183 187 16.7% 80.1%

19 NEW YORK RANGERS (21): Versatile forward Pascal Dupuis — acquired from the Wild last week in exchange for Adam Hall — is expected to make his Rangers debut tonight against the Hurricanes. He practiced on a line with Matt Cullen and Jed Ortmeyer.
56 27–24–5 59 166 163 18.1% 84.8%

20 EDMONTON OILERS (20): Last year's Cup Finalists are starting to slip out of the Western Conference playoff picture, and if they don't start winning soon, they will most assuredly be sellers as the trade deadline approaches.
57 28–25–4 60 156 165 14.2% 87.6%

21 COLORADO AVALANCHE (19): Netminder Peter Budaj has taken firm possession of the starting job in Denver, and so it's likely that former Hart Trophy winner José Théodore will be bought out of his contract this summer if the Avs can't find a trade partner.
56 27–25–4 58 177 172 17.1% 82.6%

22 BOSTON BRUINS (22): Following Tuesday night's ceremony to honor Johnny "The Chief" Bucyk for 50 years' distinguished service, the Bruins came out with guns a-blazing and flattened the Oilers 3–0. Unfortunately, it was a classic case of too little, too late.
55 26–25–4 56 156 202 14.7% 83.7%

23 FLORIDA PANTHERS (25): A goal by blueliner Jay Bouwmeester was all Ed Belfour needed on Tuesday night, as he earned his 76th career shutout at Montreal, tying him with Tony Esposito for eighth place all-time.
58 22–25–11 55 165 187 17.1% 83.7%

24 WASHINGTON CAPITALS (24): The Caps' playoff hopes were shattered when starting goalie Olaf Kolzig sustained a knee injury during Monday's practice. He'll be out for up to three weeks.
57 23–26–8 54 173 200 14.4%84.6%

25 ST. LOUIS BLUES (26): GM Larry Pleau would like to sign blueliner Eric Brewer to a contract extension in advance of the trade deadline. But if they cannot agree on terms, Brewer's a strong candidate to be dealt, and he'd likely fit in well with the Sabres.
57 22–26–9 53 145 176 11.8% 83.7%

26 PHOENIX COYOTES (23): Trading Ladislav Nagy and re-signing captain Shane Doan to a five-year contract extension (worth $23.5 million) was a good move by GM Mike Barnett. Unlike Nagy, Doan delivers a strong effort on a nightly basis.
57 25–30–2 52 154 194 10.9%80.9%

27 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (27): In just 32 games, Martin Havlat has tallied 44 points and an eye-popping plus-22 rating. If he can stay healthy — and if top prospect Jonathan Toews proves ready to make an impact — the 'Hawks will be much improved in 2007–08.
56 22–27–7 51 141 170 10.2% 85.1%

28 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (28): GM Doug MacLean has been at the helm since Columbus was awarded an expansion team. But after six years, the Blue Jackets still haven't managed to compete for a playoff spot, and it's time for a regime change.
56 22–29–5 49 139 175 14.4%82.6%

29 LOS ANGELES KINGS (29): It's been a tough season to swallow for Tinseltown's hockey fans, but with the likes of Anze Kopitar, Mike Cammalleri, and Dustin Brown in the fold — and with Jack Johnson on the way — the Kings' future looks bright.
|59 19–31–9 47 164 205 15.5%79.9%

30 PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (30): The Flyers are reportedly asking for two first round picks and a prospect in exchange for Peter Forsberg, a huge price to pay for an injury-prone player, even one as talented as "Foppa."
56 15–33–8 38 144 208 11.8% 88.7%

Mr. Greenstein is the editor in chief of InsideHockey.com.