WHO’S HOT

The Phoenix Coyotes, who have won eight consecutive games and are unbeaten in 14 (12-0-2). They were 10-0-1 in November, the first team since the Florida Panthers in October 1996 to be undefeated in a calendar month. The Panthers were 8-0-4 in their streak.

Darren McCarty of Detroit. The muscular winger has an eight-game point-scoring streak, with four goals and 13 points in that span.

The Philadelphia Flyer line of John LeClair, Eric Lindros and Keith Jones. In the six games they have played together, they have combined for 17 goals and 40 points. Jones has had five goals and six assists.

WHO’S NOT

The Montreal Canadiens. Sacre bleu! The Habitants have lost seven of their last eight games through Sunday, and the natives are unhappy with the trade that brought Jeff Hackett to town for Jocelyn Thibault.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, which has lost eight in a row. Coach Jacques Demers provided a brief lift when he also took over as general manager, but the Lightning has since reverted to its old, awful self.

The Kings, who are 2-10-1 since Oct. 28. Their injured players are returning, but they’re not good enough to go far in the playoffs. And Steve Duchesne has been awful, doing nothing for their anemic power play.