Week 26

Biggest riser: Montreal
Biggest dropper: Vancouver

01. Boston Bruins (51-17-10)
(no change) - Locked up their conference, and on a six-game win streak. They're getting hot at the right time.
02. San Jose Sharks (52-16-11)
(no change) - I still don't think they'll go far in the playoffs.
03. Detroit Red Wings (50-19-9)
(no change) - At least they beat Minnesota.
04. Washington Capitals (48-23-8)
(no change) - Unlike last year, they've clinched their division (and a playoff spot!) with time to spare.
05. Carolina Hurricanes (44-28-7)
(no change) - I guess Paul Maurice is a good coach.
06. Montreal Canadiens (41-27-10)
(up 11) - Yeah, they're safe now. Gainey's job is safe.
07. Chicago Blackhawks (43-24-11)
(up 1) - Only the loss to Montreal blemished their week.
08. New Jersey Devils (49-26-4)
(up 1) - Managed to turn their season around, and not a moment too soon.
09. Philadelphia Flyers (42-25-11)
(up 2) - Still haven't clinched a playoff spot, but they're close.
10. Anaheim Ducks (41-33-6)
(up 6) - I hate the fucking Ducks.
11. Calgary Flames (44-28-6)
(down 1) - I hate the fucking Flames.
12. Florida Panthers (39-29-11)
(up 3) - I actually hope they make it in over the Rangers.
13. Pittsburgh Penguins (42-28-9)
(down 6) - Slumping now, though hopefully that'll set up a first-round matchup with the Caps.
14. Vancouver Canucks (42-27-10)
(down 8) - So much for that division title. Losing to the Avalanche is mega-embarrassing.
15. Nashville Predators (39-32-8)
(down 2) - I hate the fucking Preds.
16. St. Louis Blues (38-31-10)
(down 4) - I don't hate the fucking Blues, oddly enough.
17. Columbus Blue Jackets (40-29-10)
(up 2) - I hope they make the playoffs, only not at the expense of the Oil.
18. New York Rangers (40-30-9)
(no change) - I hope they miss the playoffs to show that Avery isn't worth it.
19. Buffalo Sabres (38-31-9)
(down 5) - They're sure not making it easy on themselves.
20. Minnesota Wild (37-33-9)
(no change) - I hate the fucking Wild.
21. Edmonton Oilers (37-33-9)
(no change) - They still have a shot, albeit not a strong one.
22. Ottawa Senators (34-34-10)
(up 1) - If only they had Clouston for the entire season.
23. Dallas Stars (35-34-10)
(up 3) - I hate the fucking Stars.
24. Los Angeles Kings (32-35-11)
(no change) - They'll be good in a few years.
25. Phoenix Coyotes (34-38-7)
(up 2) - Same with them.
26. Atlanta Thrashers (34-39-6)
(down 4) - They won't.
27. Toronto Maple Leafs (32-34-13)
(down 2) - They'll always suck.
28. New York Islanders (26-43-9)
(no change) - Them too.
29. Colorado Avalanche (32-44-2)
(up 1) - They might be good soon.
30. Tampa Bay Lightning (24-37-18)
(down 1) - Not them. 18 OT losses!

Week 27

Biggest riser: NY Rangers
Biggest dropper: Montreal

01. Boston Bruins (53-19-10)
(no change) - Enter the playoffs on a roll, which should be enough to boost them over their longtime rivals.
02. San Jose Sharks (53-18-11)
(no change) - Backing into the postseason, which might give them trouble with Anaheim.
03. Chicago Blackhawks (46-24-12)
(up 4) - Swept a home-and-home with Detroit to finish out the year. Will they beat Calgary? I'm not sure.
04. Washington Capitals (50-24-8)
(no change) - Should be able to get to at least the second round this year.
05. Pittsburgh Penguins (45-28-9)
(up 8) - Finished off strong to secure home-ice advantage, though the series with the Flyers will be tough.
06. Vancouver Canucks (45-27-10)
(up 8) - Well, they still got the division title, though St. Louis is going to be a tough opponent.
07. New Jersey Devils (51-27-4)
(up 1) - I'm not sure how they'll play in the playoffs. Probably as good as they always do.
08. Detroit Red Wings (51-21-10)
(down 5) - Slumping entering the playoffs, though they should have little trouble with Columbus.
09. New York Rangers (43-30-9)
(up 9) - Well, they made it, but I hope Washington knocks them out early.
10. Philadelphia Flyers (44-27-11)
(down 1) - The series with Pittsburgh will be a classic. Bet on it.
11. Calgary Flames (46-30-6)
(no change) - Fucking Flames might actually win their series.
12. St. Louis Blues (41-31-10)
(up 4) - Finished off strong to give them an easier first-round opponent. Though they'll still probably lose.
13. Carolina Hurricanes (45-30-7)
(down 8) - They're slumping at the wrong time. I have no idea how they'll do in the playoffs.
14. Buffalo Sabres (41-32-9)
(up 5) - Had the season gone another week, they would've made the postseason.
15. Florida Panthers (41-30-11)
(down 3) - Same with them. They almost did, as it was.
16. Anaheim Ducks (42-33-7)
(down 6) - Hopefully the Sharks knock them out quickly.
17. Minnesota Wild (40-33-9)
(up 3) - Almost made it at the end there, though Lemaire gone for good is probably not a good thing.
18. Columbus Blue Jackets (41-31-10)
(down 1) - Congrats on your first playoff berth! Now good luck winning your first playoff game, let alone series.
19. Montreal Canadiens (41-30-11)
(down 13) - So much for that. They barely squeaked into the playoffs. They're done for, as long as Boston doesn't let it go to their heads.
20. Nashville Predators (40-34-8)
(down 5) - Ha ha fucking Preds suck.
21. Phoenix Coyotes (36-39-7)
(up 4) - Maybe next year will be their year.
22. Toronto Maple Leafs (34-35-13)
(up 5) - I doubt they'll make the playoffs anytime soon.
23. Ottawa Senators (36-35-11)
(down 1) - They should be back on track next season.
24. Los Angeles Kings (34-37-11)
(no change) - They'll still suck next year.
25. Atlanta Thrashers (35-41-6)
(up 1) - So will they.
26. Edmonton Oilers (38-35-9)
(down 5) - Goodbye MacT. It was nice knowing ya.
27. Dallas Stars (36-35-11)
(down 4) - What a terrible season they had.
28. Colorado Avalanche (32-45-5)
(up 1) - lol. Already fired their GM. Like it's his fault they had so many injuries.
29. New York Islanders (26-47-9)
(down 1) - Knowing them, they'll probably get screwed out of Tavares too.
30. Tampa Bay Lightning (24-40-18)
(no change) - Ended the year on a nine-game losing streak. Oh well. At least they'll get Tavares to waste.