Nhl Western Conference

Sporting News, The, Jan 1, 2001 by Paul Grant

WHO'S HOT

Everybody was saying how deep the Blues were up front coming into this season, especially with the return of a healthy Pavol Demitra. When Demitra got off to a weak start (eight points in 15 games), no one really noticed because the rest of the team was making up for it. Demitra has recovered, apparently. In his next 15 games, Demitra had 25 points. The Blues sure are deep up front.

WHO'S NOT

Why the heck would the Oilers trade for Sergei Zholtok considering the season Mr. One Goal is having? Largely to try to bolster the offensive output of Dan Cleary, who has been MIA since November 3. Cleary had eight points in 35 games, and there's suspicion his stick is taped with banana peels because everything slips off it. This was supposed to be Cleary's season. Is Zholtok the solution? Stay tuned.

CHALKDUST

The Flames' offense has risen from the ashes, and it's helped them bounce some of the league's elite teams (Leafs, Avs, Stars). The secret: Great puck pressure. Using a 1-2-2 forecheck, a Flames' forward forces the puck carrier deep in the zone. One of the two wingers crowds the opponent in the neutral zone, often causing a bad pass or turnover. It's simple, but it's a big reason the Flames are winning again. That and the fact Mike Vernon is playing like he's in a contract year.

GAME OF THE WEEK

If it wasn't for Cliff Ronning, the Predators would be in the IHL, losing to Grand Rapids (like everybody else). The guy can score, and on a sort-of expansion team, he's the man. He'll match up in this Monday game against a Canucks defense that is getting a breakout season from Ed Jovanovski. The Canucks also are a former team of Ronning's, located in his hometown, which means he must have grown up admiring Orland Kurtonbach (as we all did).

STICKS & STONES

So, Guy Charron wanted to coach in the NHL. Here's the team the Duke of the Disney Ducks is not getting: captain Paul Kariya (foot, two weeks); top-scoring right winger Teemu Selanne (groin, day to day); first-line center Steve Rucchin (facial fractures, day to day); and defensive stalwart Ruslan Salei (back, day to day). It's a small world, after all. And getting smaller.

DROPPING THE GLOVES

"When you lose, you learn. We did the same thing in '95 and '96 with New Jersey and Colorado. We learned to win by losing, and they've done the same thing."

--Darren McCarty on the Sharks