The Red Wings are flying high, leading the Central Division by seven points over the Nashville Predators and the Western Conference by one point over the Central Division-leading Stars. They are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and their 17-5-3 road record is tied for second-best in the NHL.
Shanahan's 24 goals are tied for the team scoring lead with fellow Red Wings' left wing Henrik Zetterberg. Shanahan also has 25 assists to rank third in overall team scoring. Shanahan scored his 100th game-winning goal Jan. 26 against Vancouver, only the fourth player in NHL history to record that many.
They may be catching arch-rival Colorado at a vulnerable time. The Avalanche are 2-5 in their last seven games, losing by shootouts to the Stars and Canucks last week and Nashville in overtime Thursday. Colorado was tough through the middle of the month, winning eight straight. Fortunately for the Avalanche, goalie David Aebischer is playing better after struggling earlier in the season.
Sakic is having an odd year. He has 19 goals and 31 assists to rank second in team scoring behind frequent linemate Alex Tanguay, who has 23 goals and 62 points. But Sakic is minus-9 while Tanguay is plus-6. Their usual linemate, Milan Hejduk, has 14 goals and 21 assists, but is minus-2. All Star defenseman Rob Blake is minus-12 for the Avalanche.