Top to Bottom : CAPSULES AND RANKINGS

Team (Record): 1. Colorado (32-13-8)

Comment: The best gets better: Injured center Joe Sakic resumed skating Monday.

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Team (Record): 2. Pittsburgh (28-18-5)

Comment: Mario Lemieux rolls and GM Craig Patrick’s deals pay off.

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Team (Record): 3. Philadelphia (29-15-7)

Comment: Legion of Doom is split up. Flyers may deal for muscle on defense.

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Team (Record): 4. Buffalo (27-19-6)

Comment: Dominik (the Dominator) Hasek is the backbone in a 6-2-1 surge.

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Team (Record): 5. Dallas (29-19-4)

Comment: Mike Modano (23 goals) is leading, but not enough Stars are following.

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Team (Record): 6. Florida (26-15-11)

Comment: Panthers have won four and tied one in five but loss of Ray Sheppard is huge.

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Team (Record): 7. Detroit (24-17-9)

Comment: Sharp in defeating St. Louis, Dallas. Sergei Fedorov (groin pull) expected back today.

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Team (Record): 8. N.Y. Rangers (26-21-7)

Comment: They shouldn’t lose to Chicago and Boston at home.

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Team (Record): 9. Edmonton (25-22-5)

Comment: Goalie Curtis Joseph excels as Oilers win four straight and sustain a 6-1-1 roll.

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Team (Record): 10. New Jersey (24-17-8)

Comment: Martin Brodeur miffed in Montreal when Mike Dunham earns Devils’ third straight tie.

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Team (Record): 11. St. Louis (25-24-4)

Comment: Brett Hull has goals in six straight games and 12-game point streak.

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Team (Record): 12. Vancouver (24-25-2)

Comment: Shut out twice in last five, the Canucks test Coach Tom Renney’s patience.

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Team (Record): 13. Ducks (20-25-6)

Comment: Like comedian Henny Youngman, they have only one good line. Defense needs help.

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Team (Record): 14. Hartford (20-23-7)

Comment: Whalers slip back in Eastern pack after losing three of four.

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Team (Record): 15. Phoenix (22-25-4)

Comment: Keith Tkachuk (32 goals) can’t do it himself. Take Craig Janney. Please.

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Team (Record): 16. Chicago (20-26-8)

Comment: Victories over Rangers and Kings are first in succession since Dec. 13-15.

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Team (Record): 17. Washington (21-25-6)

Comment: Playoff chances will vanish if NHL comes down hard on Peter Bondra.

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Team (Record): 18. Boston (20-25-6)

Comment: Big week: Ray Bourque becomes Bruins’ top all-time scorer and they win three of four.

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Team (Record): 19. Montreal (19-25-10)

Comment: Power play is 2 for 26 in 1-4-2 slide. Canadiens are rudderless.

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Team (Record): 20. Calgary (19-27-6)

Comment: Theo Fleury and Coach Pierre Page halt feud over Fleury’s conditioning.

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Team (Record): 21. San Jose (19-27-5)

Comment: Goalie Ed Belfour (sprained knee) will sit out three weeks. Will Sharks still have bite left?

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Team (Record): 22. Ottawa (17-23-10)

Comment: Senators break franchise record of 41 points, and stay in East playoff race.

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Team (Record): 23. Tampa Bay (18-25-6)

Comment: Lightning outscored, 15-6, in four-game losing streak.

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Team (Record): 24. Kings (19-28-6)

Comment: Coach Larry Robinson blamed Rob Blake after loss to Chicago--2-5-1 skid is team effort.

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Team (Record): 25. N.Y. Islanders (16-26-9)

Comment: They’ve lost three straight, each by one goal. But close doesn’t count.

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Team (Record): 26. Toronto (19-33-1)

Comment: Newspapers called Maple Leaf-Senator game Saturday the Toilet Bowl.

GAME OF THE WEEK

PITTSBURGH at MONTREAL

* When--Wednesday. Time--4:30 p.m. TV--ESPN2.

* Storyline--Highlight film goals are likely as the Penguins, the NHL’s top offensive team, face one of the worst defensive teams. Ten days ago, hometown boy Mario Lemieux celebrated his Molson Centre debut by scoring four goals in a 5-2 victory. Lemieux (36 goals, 86 points) has padded his scoring lead over teammate Jaromir Jagr, who has one goal in six games. Montreal’s defense and penalty killing are awful and goalie Jocelyn Thibault is taking heat from teammates, media and fans.