Parody is the name of the game in the NHL this week. Some of the league's worst teams found ways to beat really good teams in the last week. It has produced a shake up in my rankings.

Rankings

Top Five

1. Detroit Red Wings (17 - 6 - 2) - Detroit has won two out of three in the last week, with their only loss coming in overtime to Columbus.
2. Vancouver Canucks (14 - 9 - 2) - The Canucks have been the hot team as of late, winning seven of ten and their last three. Two of their losses have been in overtime, meaning they have been in winning contention in nine out of ten. Impressive!
3. Dallas Stars (13 - 8 - 4) - After reeling off six straight, the Stars suffered their first loss in a while against the Devils on Wednesday. They have a busy road ahead, with five games in eight days.
4. New York Rangers (14 - 9 - 2) - The Rangers have lost two of three to fall out of my top spot. They will play Ottawa next, one will right the ship.
5. Ottawa Senators (16 - 6 - 2) - Ottawa has lost five straight and are in serious jeopardy of falling out of the top five.

Bottom Five

1. Edmonton Oilers (11 - 14 - 1) - The Oilers are still at the bottom of the league, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Edmonton has won four of their last six with both losses coming to Colorado, which is a solid team right now.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs (9 - 11 - 6) - The only thing saving the Maple Leafs right now is their six overtime losses. Without those points, they would be tied with Washington for the worst record in the league. Fans are starting to lose support, calling for a change.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (10 - 13 - 2) - Hot and cold. Then hot again and now back to cold. That is the Lightning's season in a nut-shell. After starting 5 - 3, the Lightning lost six straight. Then they turned things around and won five straight, but now as they have lost six straight again. With Boston, Carolina and Ottawa in the next week, there could be a new bottom team next week.
4. Los Angeles Kings (10 - 14 - 1) - The Kings are the kings of the San Jose Sharks, but that is about it. With only two wins, both against the Sharks, in their last seven, it doesn't appear that Los Angeles will be climbing my boards anytime soon.
5. Washington Capitals (8 - 16 - 2) - The Caps did pick up a win against Carolina last week, but then they lost to Buffalo and fell to Florida in an 11-round shoot out. They also lost to Carolina Friday. Interim head Coach Bruce Boudreau may not be the answer after all. After the Caps won two straight, they have come back to reality loosing the last three.

Sale of Nashville Predators

The NHL approved the sale of the Nashville Predators.

This is a shame in my mind because I feel that this could lead to a move of the Preds out of Nashville. There have been several rumors that if the sale was approved, that a move was likely.

Nashville is not considered a hockey market, but I have been to a Predators game before and their fans are very dedicated to their team. It would be a shame that one of the best teams in the NHL will possibly move because of attendance issues.

NHL Teams to play everybody at least once

The NHL also approved a scheduling change this week. Each team will now play every other team. I think it is a good move for the NHL.

I remember when each team played each other twice in a year, before the lockout. When the season was coming to an end, you knew who the better teams were because everybody played each other.

With the schedules focused on divisional play right now, some of the records can be a little deceiving with one team being in a weaker division.

Not to mention, it tends to get a little boring to me, seeing each team play all of their divisional opponents eight times each season, not including the playoffs.

Next season, each team will play their division opponents six times each. They will play 18 out-of-conference games, with at least one game with all 15 teams.

Local Flavor

The No. 7 Tennessee Ice Vols had a tough game against Division 2 Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night. Andy Wombold scored two goals for the Ice Vols but the team was unable to tame the Eagles, losing 8 - 3.

Midway through the first period, the Eagles scored two quick goals. Chris Neilson responded for the Ice Vols, scoring the first goal for Tennessee in the game.

The Eagles scored three goals in the following four minutes to take a 5 - 1 lead after the first period. Wombold added his one goal for the Ice Vols in the second period and then one in the third.

The Ice Vols were close to scoring all game, outshooting Florida Gulf Coast 37 - 34.

Tennessee was also the more physical team in the game. The team had several good checks, lead by big checks from defenseman Amin Elaguizy.

The loss drops the Ice Vols to 7 - 5 as the team goes into their winter break.

The Ice Vols next game will be in January, when Tennessee tries to avenge their opening game loss to Georgia Ice Dogs on the road.