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Team (Record): Comment

1. Dallas (22-5-6: Hotter than Hull in 9-0-3 streak.

2. New Jersey (20-9-4: Better balance, better team.

3. Philadelphia (16-9-9: Defense improves in 4-0-4 run.

4. Buffalo (19-7-5: Outscored foes, 36-14, in 10-1-1 surge.

5. Phoenix (20-7-4: Road-tested Coyotes are for real.

6. Pittsburgh (14-10-7: Jagr comes through in clutch.

7. Carolina (16-14-5: Could threaten if Francis awakens.

8. Toronto (19-13-2: Scoring spree couldn’t last.

9. St. Louis (12-11-9: Demitra (18 goals: blossoms.

10. Mighty Ducks (13-12-8: Hebert becomes Mr. Zero.

11. Ottawa (15-13-4: Hanging tough in tight division.

12. Boston (15-12-6: Goals harder to come by.

13. Detroit (17-15-2: Outscored, 26-13, in 0-5-1 streak.

14. Florida (13-12-6: Signs of offensive life in 3-1 surge.

15. Nashville (13-17-3: Playing well against big boys.

16. Colorado (15-16-3: Power play poor without Ozolinsh.

17. San Jose (10-15-8: Defense stars in 4-0-1.

18. Edmonton (15-16-3: Nothing goes right in 1-5-2 slide.

19. Vancouver (13-17-4: Can’t put biscuit in the basket.

20. N.Y. Rangers (12-14-7: No consistency up front.

21. Kings (11-21-3: Audette provides offensive lift.

22. N.Y. Islanders (13-20-2: Palffy’s return a big lift.

23. Calgary (12-19-3: Fleury can’t do it alone.

24. Washington (11-18-3: Wilson not out of tricks yet.

25. Montreal (9-18-7: Win at Toronto momentary glory.

26. Chicago (10-20-4: Gilmour, Amonte only bright lights.

27. Tampa Bay (8-23-3: Relegation to the IHL next step.

GAME OF THE WEEK

DALLAS STARS AT PHOENIX COYOTES

When--Friday. Time--6 p.m. TV--None.

* Story line--A clash of Western Conference--and league--titans. The Stars’ 9-0-3 streak is the second-longest in the NHL this season and their 6-0-2 road unbeaten streak is the best. Brett Hull, who had been having a quiet season offensively and verbally, has has 13 points in his last 12 games. Darryl Sydor leads defensemen in scoring with nine goals and 27 points, but Finnish left wing Jere Lehtinen (12 goals, 19 points) might be their most versatile and complete player. The Coyotes are off to their best start, yet they’re still chasing Dallas. Veteran right wing Rick Tocchet has instilled a competitiveness that had long been lacking, and that has nicely supplemented the Coyotes’ abundant talent.