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Molly Riley/Associated Press

25. New York Islanders (last week: 30)

The New York Islanders took a three-game win streak into Sunday's home game against Detroit, which will see the return of Frans Nielsen against his former team.

There is still a lot of ground to make up after the Isles' poor start, but things are finally looking up again at least. Goalie Jaroslav Halak has been a bit better, and so has John Tavares. Secondary scoring continues to be a problem, but if Halak can stay hot, it will make up for a lot of that.

24. Toronto Maple Leafs (last week: 20)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are certainly a better team than the last couple of editions, but if they want to make the playoffs they need to tighten up defensively. Toronto's 32.6 shots against per game is second-most in the league, better than only Arizona.

The good news is Toronto is averaging exactly 32.6 shots a game itself. It would also help if the Leafs could play better away from Air Canada Centre. They are just 2-6-4 on the road. The good news is, their next game is at home, against Minnesota.

23. Vancouver Canucks (last week: 25)

The Vancouver Canucks have been better of late, but it's still impossible to get too revved up about this team. They're pretty good at home, terrible on the road and, well, it all adds up to mediocrity.

Center Bo Horvat is quietly having a pretty good year, with eight goals and 16 points to lead the team. A former first-round pick of Vancouver in 2013, Horvat not only has been scoring some, his defensive numbers look a lot better than last year. Horvat was a minus-30 last season but entered Sunday just a minus-one.

22. Minnesota Wild (last week: 13)

Our panel was really down on the Minnesota Wild this week for some reason, despite the fact they were 4-3-3 in their previous 10 entering Sunday's late game against Edmonton and still in the top eight of the West.

There has been some criticism of late, by fans and even coach Bruce Boudreau, of Zach Parise's play. Injuries have limited him to 17 games so far, and he had only four goals and nine points in the first 16. He's a clutch player, though. He'll get it going.

21. Winnipeg Jets (last week: 26)

The Winnipeg Jets just continue to be a tough team to figure out. They've beaten some very good teams, including Chicago and St. Louis recently, but then they'll go lose to a team like Carolina and stall momentum.

After a brief lull, rookie sensation Patrik Laine has his shot back. The Finn leads the team and all NHL rookies with 16 goals. The Jets continue to give up too many goals, though. Their 80 against is second-worst in the West.