2005 NHL GAMBLING

In the new-look NHL, power play opportunities have increased dramatically. Combine that with the fact that overtime games are now decided via the shootout and it's logical to believe that good goaltending is more significant then ever before. After all, there is no better defense then having a hot goalie!

However, there has been somewhat of a changing of the guard between the pipes this season. Household names like Brodeur, Belfour and Khabibulin have yet to excel the way they previously did. In fact, each of those three goalies has given up at least 3 1/2 goals per game and the trio has combined for a losing record.

Rather, the goalies at the top of the statistical leader-boards include largely unfamiliar names like Legace, Lundqvist and LaBarbera.

One goalie who has continued his exceptional play from years past is Dominik Hasek. 'The Dominator' is hoping to earn his seventh Vezina Trophy since 1994. That would tie him with former Montreal-great Jacques Plante, who earned seven Vezina trophies from 1956-1969, for the most in NHL hockey history.

A statistical look at the leading goalies appears below. That's followed by this week's "Power Rankings."

Wins
Legace (Detroit) 10
Theodore (Montreal) 9
Hasek (Ottawa) 8
Labarbare (LA) 8
Kiprusoff (Calgary) 8

Goals-Against-Average
Legace (Detroit) 1.76
Lundqvist (NYR) 1.76
Fernandez (Minnesota) 1.85
Hasek (Ottawa) 1.85
Schaefer (San Jose) 1.94

Shutouts
Hasek (Ottawa) 3
Kiprusoff (Calgary) 3
Legace (Detroit) 2
Luongo (Florida) 2
Joseph (Phoenix) 2

Save Percentage
Fernandez (Minnesota) .941
Lundqvist (NYR) .938
Roloson (Minnesota) .938
Hasek (Ottawa) .935
Legace (Detroit) .938

TEAM POWER RANKINGS
I believe that the following five teams are currently the best in the league. I'll update this list, which is subject to frequent changes, on a weekly basis throughout the rest of the season.

1. Ottawa Senators
There are a handful of teams that have more points than the Senators. However, the Senators have scored the most goals in the league (64) and allowed the fewest (28). They have three of the league's top five scorers and have Dominik Hasek in net.

2. Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings have the most points (27) in the NHL. They have a balanced lineup and already have eight players with 12 points or more. Manny Legace has been very strong in net and Osgood has been solid as his backup.

3. Carolina Hurricanes
After going 9-0-1 their past 10 games, the Hurricanes now boast a surprising 10-2-1 record. Carolina, which has a perfect 6-0 record at home, has demonstrated an amazing ability to fight back after falling behind. The Hurricanes have trailed in five of their past six games, yet have won all six. They were down by two goals or more on four occasions!

4. Montreal Canadiens
Like the Hurricanes, the Habs have been a surprise team thus far. With an 11-3-1 record, they currently sit on top of the Eastern Conference standings. The Canadiens have six wins in seven road games. Their lone road loss came at Ottawa in overtime, and there's no shame in that! The fact that the Canadiens have only seven more goals (48)than their opponents (41) demonstrates an ability to win close games.

5. Philadelphia Flyers
With the possible exception of the Senators, the Flyers have arguably the most talent in the league. Forsberg (21 assists) and Gagne (15 goals) may be the deadliest 1-2 combo in the NHL. As has been the case in previous years, the question in Philadelphia revolves around whether the club has the goaltending to carry it deep in the playoffs.