THE TIMES’ RANKING: top to BOTTOM

Team (record): Comment (last week’s rank)

1. Colorado (23-9-15): Odd 7-1-6 streak is case for shootout.

2. Detroit (27-11-10): Two shutouts in last four games.

3. Dallas (29-11-8): Too talented for 1-2-1 slump to last.

4. St. Louis (26-16-6): Blues still doing it with mirrors.

5. Philadelphia (25-11-8): Balanced scoring in 10-2-3 surge.

6. New Jersey (28-14-3): Gilmour awakens but Devils go 3-4-1.

7. Montreal (25-16-6): Savage scores nine in 7-2-2 run.

8. Pittsburgh (24-14-8): Defense holding up well.

9. Boston (20-16-9): Only six goals-against in 3-0-3 streak.

10. Washington (21-17-8): Brunette, Bondra key 5-1 stretch.

11. Phoenix (20-18-8): Lots of talent, little tenacity.

12. Ottawa (19-20-7): Better on the road than at home.

13. Chicago (17-19-9): Chelios, Amonte lead resurgence.

14. Kings (18-19-8): Win over Ducks shows character.

15. Florida (15-22-10): Showing grit in 3-2-5 stretch.

16. N.Y. Rangers (15-19-12): Richter, Leetch still shaky.

17. San Jose (16-23-5): Ricci, MacLean settling in.

18. Ducks (15-24-8): Need muscle, consistency.

19. Buffalo (15-20-8): As Hasek goes, so go Sabres.

20. Edmonton (15-22-9): Trades ignite four-game winning streak.

21. Carolina (17-24-6): Kron, Primeau stir offense.

22. Toronto (14-23-7): If Sundin had some help . . .

23. Calgary (12-25-10): Still not scoring enough.

24. N.Y. Islanders (15-25-5): Next loss is Bowness’ job.

25. Vancouver (12-26-8): Keenan’s doghouse still full.

26. Tampa Bay (9-28-8): Lucky the draft looks deep.

GAME OF THE WEEK

MONTREAL AT PHILADELPHIA

* When--Wednesday. * Time--4:30 p.m. * TV--None.

* Storyline--The Canadiens, 7-2-2 in their last 11 games, get away from Montreal, where their game against the Rangers was postponed Saturday because of an ice storm. Signing veteran goaltender Andy Moog has proved a smart move because Moog is good role model for young Jocelyn Thibault and stabilizes the defense. The Flyers are 10-2-3 in their last 15 games, and have scored 13 goals in that span to stay on a pace for 50 for the second successive season. John LeClair, traded by Montreal to Philadelphia in 1995, has nine goals in his last six games against his former team.