NHL: TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record) Comment

1. Phoenix (17-3-4): Coyotes refuse to fall apart.

2. New Jersey (17-7-3): Scoring bonanza in 5-0-2 streak.

3. Buffalo (15-5-5): Outscored foes, 22-8, in 6-0-1 streak.

4. Dallas (16-5-5): No one in top 25 scorers.

5. Detroit (16-10-1): Flat at Carolina, but 8-2-1.

6. Toronto (16-11-2): Offense faltering, no longer first.

7. Philadelphia (13-9-6): Clarke corrects Gratton mistake.

8. Boston (12-8-6): Dafoe da man in 6-1-2 run.

9. Carolina (13-11-5): Irbe bounces back in 5-1-2 surge.

10. Pittsburgh (11-7-7): Good Czechs and good checks.

11. Colorado (13-12-3): Sakic’s wife ill, Avalanche ails.

12. Ducks (11-11-6): Hebert stars in consecutive shutouts.

13. Ottawa (13-10-3): McEachern three goals in last three.

14. Edmonton (13-13-3): Scored only 11 in last six.

15. N.Y. Rangers (11-11-7): Up and down season continues.

16. St. Louis (9-9-7): Goals scarce (six) in 0-3-2 skid.

17. Calgary (11-16-2): Fleury still aflame--for how long?

18. Florida (9-11-6): Four goals in four games for Ciccarelli.

19. Chicago (9-16-4): Slowly improving in 4-2-1 stretch.

20. Nashville (10-14-3): Vokoun saves day after Dunham hurt.

21. Vancouver (10-14-4): Thin offense erratic in 2-8-3 slide.

22. Kings (8-18-3): Blake return, win streak short-lived.

23. San Jose (6-14-7): Feeble offense scores 10 in 1-4-2 skid.

24. Washington (8-16-3): Shut out three times in 1-7 slide.

25. Montreal (8-16-5): Ironman Recchi bows to 0-4-3 slump.

26. Tampa Bay (8-18-2): Call Lightning legion of doomed.

27. N.Y. Islanders (10-18-0): Scraping bottom of bad barrel.

GAME OF THE WEEK

DALLAS at DETROIT

When--Friday. Time--4:30 p.m. TV--ESPN.

* Story line--A renewal of a fierce rivalry between the teams expected to compete for the Western Conference title, at least until Phoenix got hot. Dallas won the first two meetings, 3-2 and 5-1. Brett Hull, the Stars’ big off-season signing, strained a groin muscle Dec. 2 and didn’t return as expected Sunday at Chicago. He’s having a quiet season, with six goals and 15 points in 17 games. Dallas center Joe Nieuwendyk has been the subject of trade rumors, but his faceoff skills make him valuable to the defensive-minded Stars. The Red Wings’ 3-0 loss at Carolina on Saturday was their first blanking this season. However, they still have a five-game winning streak at home.

NUMBERS GAME

Buffalo’s Dominik Hasek last week recorded his league-leading fifth shutout, giving him a goaltending triple crown. He’s also tops in wins with 15 and save percentage at .945. Hasek is rapidly climbing the list of active shutout leaders: *--*

Goaltender Team(s) Shutouts Patrick Roy Montreal, Colorado 43 Ed Belfour Chicago, San Jose, Dallas 42 Dominik Hasek Chicago, Buffalo 38 Martin Brodeur New Jersey 34 Tom Barrasso Buffalo, Pittsburgh 31 John Vanbiesbrouck Rangers, Fla., Philadelphia 31 Grant Fuhr Ed., Tor., Buff., Kings, St. L. 24 Ron Hextall Phil., Quebec, N.Y. Islanders 23 Chris Osgood Detroit 22 Kirk McLean N.J., Van., Carolina, Fla. 21

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