Top 10

CAPSULES AND RANKING

Team (Record): 1. Colorado (15-5-4)

Comment: A sweet week. The Avalanche continued an 11-1-3 run and got Boston’s 1998 first-round draft pick for two extra bodies.

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Team (Record): 2. Florida (14-3-5)

Comment: The Panthers won three in a row, allowing one goal in each. These guys are disciplined and opportunistic.

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Team (Record): 3. Dallas (14-7-1)

Comment: The offense is sputtering, but the Stars’ defense is solid. It has held opponents to three goals or fewer in nine in a row.

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Team (Record): 4. Detroit (13-8-3)

Comment: The Brendan Shanahan-Steve Yzerman-Darren McCarty line is carrying Red Wings through a 5-2-1 surge.

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Team (Record): 5. Washington (12-9-1)

Comment: Chris Simon, who scored five goals in eight games, isn’t merely a goon.

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Team (Record): 6. Vancouver (12-8-0)

Comment: Big guns Alexander Mogilny and Pavel Bure are getting help from Mike Ridley.

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Team (Record): 7. Hartford (10-6-4)

Comment: Despite distractions of Shanahan and now Paul Coffey wanting out, the Whalers are generally playing well.

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Team (Record): 8. St. Louis (12-11-10)

Comment: Jim Campbell has more goals than Brett Hull, 11-10, and rookie Harry York--who?--has eight.

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Team (Record): 9. Edmonton (11-11-1)

Comment: Doug Weight had goals in three consecutive games, a good omen for the young Oilers.

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Team (Record): 10. Phila. (12-10-1)

Comment: Eric Lindros, who had a groin pull, is expected to return tonight. The Flyers are 30-38-8 in games he has missed.

GAME OF THE WEEK

NEW YORK at COLORADO

* When--Wednesday.

* Time--6 p.m.

* TV--ESPN2.

* Storyline--This is the finale of a six-game trip for the Rangers--and it could be the finale for Coach Colin Campbell if they don’t end their 1-7-1 slump. Campbell got a vote of confidence last week from Madison Square Garden President Dave Checketts, who said evaluations won’t be made until the halfway point of the season, but more losses could change that. Colorado remains the class of the league. Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic share the scoring lead with 35 points each and defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh is the top-scoring defenseman with eight goals and 26 points. Patrick Roy leads goalies with 14 victories and four shutouts, and his 2.08 goals-against average ranks third.