Top 10

CAPSULES AND RANKING

Team (Record): 1. Florida (11-3-5)

Comment: Chugging along, but losing winger Johan Garpenlov to a knee injury might hurt.

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Team (Record): 2. Colorado (13-5-4)

Comment: Peter Forsberg may be the NHL’s most skillful player, but he’s second in scoring to teammate Joe Sakic.

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Team (Record): 3. Dallas (13-5-1)

Comment: Stars are hitting on all cylinders, getting strong team defense and offensive punch from Benoit Hogue, Greg Adams and Mike Modano.

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Team (Record): 4. St. Louis (11-9-0)

Comment: Goaltender Grant Fuhr hurts his neck, Blues go 1-5. Fuhr recovers, they win five in a row.

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Team (Record): 5. Detroit (11-7-3)

Comment: Four victories and a tie are nice, but losing to Colorado is a bad omen.

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Team (Record): 6. New Jersey (10-6-1)

Comment: A 6-1 surge is reminiscent of Devils’ Stanley Cup season of 1994-95.

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Team (Record): 7. Hartford (9-5-3)

Comment: The Whale rules the Northeast and the Penguins are bottom-feeders.... Never say never.

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Team (Record): 8. Kings (9-7-3)

Comment: A loss to the Mighty Ducks doesn’t faze them. They’re 5-1-3 and doing lots of things right.

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Team (Record): 9. Washington (10-9-0)

Comment: The Capitals win four of five, with recent acquisitions Chris Simon and Andrei Nikolishin chipping in.

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Team (Record): 10. Philadelphia (10-10-1)

Comment: The Flyers have stayed around .500. Will Eric Lindros’ return lift them higher?

GAME OF THE WEEK

PITTSBURGH AT PHILADELPHIA

* When--Thursday. Time--4:30. TV--ESPN2.

* Storyline--The focus is the expected return of Flyer center Eric Lindros, who has yet to play this season because of a pulled groin muscle. The Flyers have struggled, reaching .500 only because of a hot streak by winger John LeClair. Rumors persist that Coach Terry Murray is in trouble and that a multiplayer deal with Hartford is looming. It would bring Paul Coffey and Nelson Emerson or Geoff Sanderson to Philadelphia for Karl Dykhuis and Pat Falloon or Dale Hawerchuk. The Penguins have been a surprise because of their ineptitude. They’re the only team winless on the road (0-10-1) and have yet to win two consecutive games.