Dallas' conference lead in danger

The number this week is 13. That is the number of games that the Vancouver Canucks have gone without losing. During that time they have posted a 9-0-4 record. In the longest unbeaten streak this season, the Canucks have played inconsistently, but always seem to come out on top.

Although Inside the NHL has a soft spot for the 'Nucks, they sadly will not be able to challenge the NHL record of 35 straight games without a loss, since there are but 20 games left in the season.

Vancouver still has issues with blowing third period leads and letting teams back into games, but it still has the top line in the NHL. When you put together the leagues' second leading scorer Markus Naslund, seventh leading scorer Todd Bertuzzi, and center Brendan Morrison, and then add some excellent secondary scoring of late, it is no wonder the Canucks are only two points away from taking the Western Conference lead from the Dallas Stars.

The Canucks might be playing some dominating hockey for the moment, but when it comes to the playoffs, the Stars are still the favorites. Although goalie Marty Turco is a question mark, a playoff virgin as it were, no one doubts Dallas' depth and ability. Turco has missed the last five games because of an ankle injury, but backup Ron Tugnutt has been competent, going 2-1-2, and recording a shutout on Sunday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.

But the Eastern Conference is no slouch this season either as it prepares for the playoff push. The Ottawa Senators are having an unbelievable year, especially considering their bankruptcy problems. At least that issue seems to be sorting itself out, and the Senators can concentrate on playing. Marian Hossa is second in the league in goals, and Patrick Lalime is in the top five in the league with a 2.07 goals against average, helping to lead the Senators to the best record in the NHL.

And how the mighty have fallen in Beantown. From its spot as the top team in the league earlier this year, the Boston Bruins have fallen to a sorry state. They are seventh in the conference, 20 points away from division leaders Ottawa, and have a complete dearth of secondary scoring.

True, the Bruins have had some injuries to key players, like Sergei Samsonov. But Boston should be doing a better job fighting through injuries, instead of giving up, which is what it looks like the team is doing with a 2-5-2-1 record in its last ten games.

Luckily for Boston, ninth place Montreal is not playing much better, so the Bruins' playoff spot is still safe... for the moment.

Right behind Ottawa, and definitely ahead of Boston in the Northeast Division are the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have been playing better hockey then when they made it to the conference championships two years ago. Goalie Ed Belfour has guided the team to an 8-2-0 record in its last ten games.

Eddie the Eagle has been spectacular, especially after many in Toronto were ready to move to Detroit when former netminder Curtis Joseph went south there as a free agent. Belfour played horribly in Dallas last year, blew up at coaches, and trashed dressing rooms. Many had assumed that his career was over at the ripe old age of 37.

But with Belfour in net in the playoffs, Toronto will be a tough team to beat. When he was playing well for the Stars, Belfour carried them to the Stanley Cup finals twice _ winning once _ and the conference finals another two times.



I'm sorry

Inside the NHL has been criticized for its stance on the New York Rangers of late, and has been informed that many of its opinions on New York's saddest team are wrong. And so, Inside the NHL would like to post a correction.

It apologizes for saying the Rangers do not have a chance of making the playoffs. With 59 points, it is totally plausible that the Rangers could win 16 of their last 19 games to get up to 91 points, and earn a playoff berth.

Why couldn't an underachieving and underperforming team for the past five seasons suddenly break out and win 16 in a row? Inside the NHL has clearly shortchanged the Rangers. So, for underestimating the overpaid talent on the New York Rangers, the Inside the NHL formally asks for forgiveness.