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Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

25. Pittsburgh Penguins (last week: 15)

It's a little too early to say Mike Johnston wasn't a problem or that Mike Sullivan isn't a solution, but the first week under the Pittsburgh Penguins' new coaching regime did not go well. The Pens lost four straight, all in regulation, with thee of those four contests being played at home. Shot volume hasn't been a problem, but the Penguins haven't had any finish; they averaged more than 37 shots per game, but the opposition goalies combined for a 0.973 save percentage.

24. Carolina Hurricanes (last week: 20)

It wasn't a terrible week for the Canes, but it wasn't great, either. All the games were close as the team went 1-1-1, not really falling out of position but also not gaining ground the way it needs to do. Jeff Skinner picked up another hat-trick, his second in three games, in Tuesday's overtime loss to Philadelphia.

23. Arizona Coyotes (last week: 22)

The Coyotes had a weird week. On Thursday, Arizona lost 7-5 to Columbus as the Blue Jackets scored on one-third of the shots they took. Two days later, one of the two goalies who played in that one, Louis Domingue, started against the Islanders and turned aside all of the 25 shots he faced. Domingue's career NHL save percentage is now 0.917 over nine contests, and it's possible he will steal some minutes away from the hapless Anders Lindback (4-5-1 record, 0.891 save percentage).

22. Calgary Flames (last week: 24)

The Calgary Flames pushed their winning streak to seven games this week but also saw that streak come to an end, with regulation losses to both the St. Louis Blues and Detroit over the weekend. Our panel saw enough to bump the Flames up two spots as a result, but this big push by Calgary wasn't enough to get the team into playoff position, and the Flames sit one point back of Vancouver for the final berth in the Pacific.

21. Buffalo Sabres (last week: 27)

The Sabres collected five of a possible eight points in Week 12, beating the Ducks and Red Wings but falling in a shootout to the Chicago Blackhawks and in regulation to the Devils. Much of the credit must go to goalie Chad Johnson, who played in all three games in which Buffalo collected points, stopping 102 of 105 shots (0.971 save percentage) in the process.