They are still very vulnerable in the conference playoff picture

They need to start converting their key chances into goals and finally winning some close, competitive games. 17. Atlanta Thrashers (40 pts)The 17 spot is a massive improvement from 2008-2009. Louis Blues (37 pts)The Blues are over .500 in their last 10 games, but they have the worst home record in the NHL at a miserable 6-11-2. That stat is not going to get a team very far into spring, whenever that comes around. 19. Anaheim Ducks (35 pts)The Ducks, like Minnesota, have improved greatly over the last four or five weeks, but are still not where they would like to be in the tight Western Conference standings. 21.

Florida Panthers (39 pts)Like the two teams ahead of them, the Panthers are steadily improving and have 13 points in 10 games. They are still very vulnerable in the conference playoff picture. 22. Montreal Canadiens (37 pts)The Canadiens got a solid 4-3 overtime victory in Atlanta yesterday, but are underachieving possibly even more than last season. 23. New York Rangers (37 pts)After plummeting to the bottom five, the Rangers have put together three straight victories to restore a bit of hope in the fan base as well as the team. Power Grouping Five: Bottom-Feeders24. Toronto Maple Leafs (35 pts)After a dreadful first one-and-a-half months, the Maple Leafs have put together a fairly successful run to at least pull themselves somewhat out of the dust. 25. Tampa Bay Lightning (35 pts)Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedburg have both turned out to be very good decisions as top-level draft picks. Their emergence has simply replaced the former glory of Martin St Louis and Vincent Lecavalier. 26.

Edmonton Oilers (34 pts)After restoring some hope in the fanbase with a 5-1 run, the Oilers have now lost four straight and ruined their recent point-producing run. 27. Philadelphia Flyers (32 pts)It's hard to tell how the upcoming Winter Classic will affect the mindset of the Flyers in the next week. Something needs to change quickly as Philly is 2-7-1 in their last 10 and new coach Peter Laviolette is definitely not working so far. 28. Columbus Blue Jackets (35 pts)After earning their first playoff berth in franchise history last season, the Jackets started out the season somewhat flat.