Nhl Eastern Conference

Sporting News, The, Feb 19, 2001 by Paul Grant

WHO'S HOT

There once was a guy named O'Neill Whose every goal was an ordeal Then along came Ron, Whom he depended upon To make scoring chances congeal

Jeff O'Neill has combined with Rat Francis on the Hurricanes to form one of the best duos around. O'Neill has solidified so well, in fact, that he strung together 22 goals in his last 27 games.

WHO'S NOT

G Damian Rhodes has a black cloud over his head as he walks underneath a ladder for the 13th time. He has: ridden the bench while the Leafs made it to the semis; been traded by the Senators just before they were good; been dealt to the Islanders, who didn't want him; and been traded by the Sens to a lame-o expansion team in Atlanta. Now he's second to Milan Hnilicka. Yeesh. Don't stand next to him on the street.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME

Panthers are endangered in real life and when it comes to the NHL playoffs. The club can take small victories from this season, however, such as how well the power play has come together since Duane Sutter took over behind the bench. Sutter has changed the attack slightly, telling his team to carry the puck in or, if pressured, dump it just past the defensemen. Staying away from the deep shoot-in been the key. When you have Pavel Bure, it's good to hold onto the puck.

GAME OF THE WEEK

This is where well see if the Pens' snowball is is still rolling. Taking on the best team in the dam NHL, albeit at home, will be a true test for Mario and company. Can the Pens' sand-castle defense hold back the rushing tide that is the Avs' attack? And if the Pens don't get a reliable goalie by then, will Garth Snow get smothered by a team named for smothering snow? Key matchup: Ray Bourque vs. Lemieux. Faceoff is Monday.

STICKS & STONES

How boring is the East? Proof: The Maple Leafs keep losing--just six wins in 18 tries in 2001 through Saturday--but still are in the running for home-ice advantage during the playoffs. If they called the West home, like in the old days, the pressure would have been so intense they would have made that cursed Eric Lindros and/or Rob Blake trade by now.

DROPPING THE GLOVES

"Right now we're in a playoff race or hunt or whatever you want to call it. And if our top three lines aren't scoring goals, We're in trouble. Because I honest to God don't think my fourth is going to."