TIMES’ RANKINGS

Team (Record): Comment

1. Phoenix (14-2-2): Perfect November (10-0-1).

2. Dallas (12-4-3): Modano comes in from perimeter.

3. Detroit (13-8-0): Maracle worker shines in net.

4. Philadelphia (11-7-4): Jones revives Legion of Doom line.

5. New Jersey (13-7-1): Defense holds up in 6-2-1 run.

6. Toronto (13-9-2): Quinn should be coach of the year.

7. Boston (10-7-5): Good balance in 4-0-1 streak.

8. Pittsburgh (10-6-5): Seven goals in five games for Straka.

9. Buffalo (10-5-4): Sabres Peca away in Northeast.

10. Carolina (11-10-3): Francis must step it up.

11. Edmonton (12-9-1): Bad home loss to Blackhawks.

12. Ottawa (10-7-3): Yashin awakens in 4-1-1 surge.

13. St. Louis (9-6-5): Pronger, MacInnis vie for Norris.

14. Florida (8-8-5): Mellanby getting back in form.

15. Nashville (9-12-1): Hitting some sour notes.

16. N.Y. Rangers (6-9-7): Not done dealing yet.

17. N.Y. Islanders (10-13-0): Could still be in Bure race.

18. Mighty Ducks (8-10-4): Offense weak in losing four of five.

19. Colorado (8-11-2): Can’t find consistent footing.

20. Washington (7-11-3): From darling to downtrodden.

21. Montreal (7-12-2): Injuries don’t explain 1-7 slide.

22. Vancouver (9-13-1): Time to trade Bure after 1-7 slump?

23. Calgary (8-13-2): Beating Chicago shouldn’t count.

24. San Jose (5-11-5): Scores only six in 1-4-1 skid.

25. Kings (6-13-3): Buried when they should be Bure’d.

26. Tampa Bay (6-14-2): Lightning strikes out in 0-8 slide.

27. Chicago (6-14-3): Amonte (18 goals): lone saving grace.

GAME OF THE WEEK

DETROIT at COLORADO

When--Wednesday. Time--6 p.m. TV--ESPN2.

* Storyline--The Red Wings take a five-game winning streak to Denver. They have outscored opponents, 26-8, in the streak and have gotten strong goaltending from Norm Maracle after Chris Osgood suffered a hip injury. Steve Yzerman (nine goals, 24 points) and Brendan Shanahan (12 goals, 23 points) rank among the NHL’s top 10 scorers. The Avalanche hasn’t recovered from its 0-4-1 start. It assembled a 3-0-1 streak in mid-November but has since lost three of four games and was shut out in two of those losses. Peter Forsberg (six goals, 27 points) and Joe Sakic (nine goals, 25 points) lead the offense, but the defense has been spotty and restricted free agent Sandis Ozolinsh is missed for his power-play prowess. The Avalanche must compete well in this game to have any hope of being a player in the West.