from Katie Strang of ESPN,

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Detroit Red Wings: Expecting the Wings to make their 23rd consecutive playoff appearance is one thing, but not too many folks envisioned them competing for the top spot in the Atlantic Division with teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens. Yet, that is where Mike Babcock’s skilled squad is after the team recorded its third consecutive win Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Detroit, tied with the division-leading Lightning in points (39), has now won eight of its last 10 games. Having back Pavel Datsyuk has provided a huge boost; Datsyuk recorded three points in the team's 3-1 win over the Canes on Sunday and has nine points in the past five games.

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Montreal Canadiens: The Habs have dropped three straight, most recently a 4-1 loss to the struggling Dallas Stars in which they looked uncharacteristically stagnant on offense. The good news? Tuesday's match against the Vancouver Canucks begins a five-game homestand for the Habs.

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In the West...

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Chicago Blackhawks: With a win over the Nashville Predators on Saturday, the Hawks recorded their sixth straight victory and grabbed the lead in a hotly contested Central Division. Winners in nine of their last 10 games, Chicago is on one heck of a hot streak; not even the loss of starting goaltender Corey Crawford is slowing them down.

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Edmonton Oilers: This seems to be a trend, right? Where to start. Ahh yes, that odd, defensive news conference starring general manager Craig MacTavish, who acknowledges that change is needed yet seems reluctant to part ways with either his coach or his core players. Not exactly sure how he expects anything different, then. Interesting tactic, however, to throw his current boss under the bus as he distanced himself from the previous regime’s mistakes and asked not to be lumped in with their previous foibles. Yes, the Oilers snapped an 11-game skid with a 2-1 win Sunday over the San Jose Sharks, but that does little to distract from the rampant dysfunction that has defined their season.

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