NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE.(National Hockey League)(Brief Article)

WHO'S HOT

Everybody was saying how deep the Blues were up front coming into this season, especially with the return of a healthy Pavol Demitra. When Demitra got off to a weak start (eight points in 15 games), no one really noticed because the rest of the team was making up for it. Demitra has recovered, apparently. In his next 15 games, Demitra had 25 points. The Blues sure are deep up front.

WHO'S NOT

Why the heck would the Oilers trade for Sergei Zholtok considering the season Mr. One Goal is having? Largely to try to bolster the offensive output of Dan Cleary, who has been MIA since November 3. Cleary had eight points in 35 games, and there's suspicion his stick is taped with banana peels because everything slips off it. This was supposed to be Cleary's season. Is Zholtok the solution? Stay tuned.

CHALKDUST

The Flames' offense has risen from the ashes, and it's helped them bounce some of the league's elite teams (Leafs, Avs, Stars). The secret: Great puck pressure. Using a 1-2-2 forecheck, a Flames' forward forces the puck carrier deep in the zone. One of the two wingers crowds the opponent in the neutral zone, often causing a bad pass or turnover. It's simple, but it's a big reason the Flames are ...