NHL.com Weekly Rankings

1 Boston (21-9-1) The Bruins are on pace for a plus-124 goal differential. That would be the best number since the 1995-96 Red Wings were plus-144. Of course, that didn?t translate into a Stanley Cup for the Wings.

2 Chicago (21-8-4) The 2.88 goals per game they?re allowing are the most since they gave up 3.06 per game in 2006-07. Ray Emery, however, is 6-0-1 in December and has allowed just 12 goals in those seven games.

3 Philadelphia (20-8-3) Without Chris Pronger this season, the Flyers are 12-5-1. To compete with elite teams, however, they?ll need to find a way to replace him. Exhibit A is Saturday?s dismantling by Boston.

4 Detroit (20-10-1) The Red Wings have won 13 of their 20 games by three goals or more. There might not be a better team in the League when they?re ?on,? as they say. It?s just a matter of being ?on? all the time.

5 St. Louis (19-9-4) Saturday?s 2-1 shootout loss to Nashville is a blueprint for what could bring the Blues down. As great as they?ve been defensively, their inability to score goals may end up being their downfall.

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Source: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/nhl.com_weekly_rankings/

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