NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record): Comment

1. New Jersey (39-16-8): Defense shines in 8-0-3 run.

2. Dallas (38-15-10): Battered but still battling.

3. Colorado (33-17-16): Ozolinsh fuels torrid power play.

4. St. Louis (36-22-8): Lennan, defense excel.

5. Pittsburgh (32-18-14): Francis, Jagr on a tear.

6. Philadelphia (32-20-9): Clarke errs, Cashman falls.

7. Detroit (34-17-13): California nightmare: 1-2.

8. Kings (29-22-11): Blake takes charge--finally.

9. Buffalo (25-22-14): No post-Nagano letdown for Hasek.

10. Boston (26-23-13): Allison, Samsonov blossom.

11. Montreal (30-25-7): Big night against Panthers.

12. Washington (28-24-11): Big back-to-back wins.

13. Ottawa (25-28-10): Alfredsson must get hot.

14. Carolina (25-30-7): Roberts, Primeau impressive.

15. Chicago (24-28-11): Daze becoming a force.

16. San Jose (25-30-7): Friesen, Marleau maturing.

17. Edmonton (24-30-10): Who own de team?.

18. Phoenix (24-27-12): Colossal waste of talent.

19. N.Y. Islanders (22-32-8): Special teams cost them.

20. N.Y. Rangers (19-27-17): $45 million for this?

21. Vancouver (19-35-10): Too little too late.

22. Toronto (21-33-8): Wildly inconsistent.

23. Calgary (19-32-12): Better, but still bad.

24. Mighty Ducks (20-34-9): Pressure is on GM Ferreira.

25. Florida (18-32-12): Let the fire sale begin.

26. Tampa Bay (13-41-9): Bottom of the barrel.

NEW JERSEY AT PHILADELPHIA

* When--Today. Time--4:30 p.m. TV--ESPN2.

* Storyline--Roger Neilson, the tireless 63-year-old defensive genius, starts his seventh NHL coaching stint today with the Flyers. He replaced Wayne Cashman, who was saddled with a team that didn’t play as big as its size. Cashman supposedly didn’t communicate well with players. Translation: He didn’t kiss up enough to franchise player Eric Lindros. Lindros will miss the festivities because of a concussion. The Devils, who have the best record in the East and are vying with Dallas for the overall point lead, have been playing their trademark tight, rugged defense. Doug Gilmour was at his playmaking best before suffering a knee injury that will idle him about two weeks, but the Devils are deep enough to barely miss him.