NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

No. Team (Record): Comment

1. Detroit (44-20-15): Looking ready to repeat.

2. Dallas (47-21-11): Back on winning track.

3. New Jersey (47-22-10): Not sharp in 2-4-1 slide.

4. Philadelphia (41-27-11): Lindros’ return welcomed.

5. Buffalo (36-27-16): Hasek fuels 8-2-1 charge.

6. St. Louis (42-29-8): Fuhr’s bruised knee must heal fast.

7. Boston (37-29-13): Burns gets Bruins back in playoffs.

8. Washington (37-30-12): Defense holding up well.

9. Colorado (37-26-17): No defense for lapses.

10. Pittsburgh (37-24-18): Only 18 goals in 1-5-4 slump.

11. Kings (37-31-11): Slouching toward playoffs.

12. Montreal (36-31-12): Plodding toward playoffs.

13. Phoenix (33-34-12): Coyotes find guts in 7-3 run.

14. San Jose (33-37-9): Ricci, MacLean lead 6-1-2 surge.

15. Ottawa (32-32-15): Clinging to last East berth.

16. Edmonton (33-37-10): Oilers win four of five.

17. Carolina (33-38-8): Just about done.

18. Chicago (30-37-12): No offense, no playoffs.

19. N.Y. Islanders (28-40-11): Spirited 4-2-1 stretch.

20. Toronto (28-42-9): Murphy on the hot seat.

21. Vancouver (25-40-14): Keenan has work to do.

22. Florida (24-41-14): Pressure’s off, Panthers win.

23. Calgary (25-40-14): Straggling toward finish line.

24. N.Y. Rangers (23-38-18): Embarrassing 1-9-1 fade.

25. Ducks (25-41-13): Praying for a good lottery pick.

26. Tampa Bay (17-53-9): Season ended months ago.

GAME OF THE WEEK

DETROIT AT DALLAS

* When--Wednesday. Time--5:30 p.m. PDT TV--none.

* Story line--The Presidents’ Trophy and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs may be determined in this game. The Red Wings, led by Steve Yzerman, who has 19 points in his last 15 games, are trying to become the first repeat Stanley Cup winners since Pittsburgh in 1991 and 1992. They lead the NHL with 245 goals, although only Yzerman ranks among the NHL’s top 25 scorers with 24 goals and 69 points. Dallas, which leads New Jersey by one point and Detroit by two, has won four consecutive games since losing five of six. Center Joe Nieuwendyk has six goals in his last five games and 38 overall. Grinders Mike Keane and Brian Skrudland, acquired from the Rangers on trade deadline day, have combined for four goals in the last four games.