TIMES’ RANKINGS

Team (Record) Comment

1. Philadelphia (3-0-1): Six-point week for Lindros.

2. Ottawa (3-0-0): The little team that could--and does.

3. Pittsburgh (2-0-1): Bankrupt but not broken in spirit.

4. Detroit (3-1-0): Three straight wins and Bowman returning.

5. Florida (2-0-1): Rookie whiz Oleg Kvasha wins raves.

6. Toronto (3-1-1): Can Leafs keep up fast start?

7. Buffalo (2-1-1): Hasek regaining top form.

8. Boston (3-2-1): Last three wins shutouts.

9. Washington (2-1-1): Olie the goalie a gem.

10. Dallas (2-1-1): Sydor (7 points) tied for scoring lead.

11. Montreal (2-2-1): Defense still not steady.

12. Vancouver (2-1-0): Top NHL power play (5 for 18, 27.8%)

13. Edmonton (2-2-0): Guerin scores three in last three.

14. Kings (2-1-1): Storr, Fiset hurt; get Rogie ready.

15. N.Y. Islanders (2-2-0): Salo sparkles in goal.

16. Chicago (3-2-0): Hackett hacking it in net.

17. Phoenix (2-1-0): Hasn’t fallen apart yet.

18. St. Louis (1-2-1): Scored one goal in last two games.

19. Ducks (1-3-0): Might be getting it together.

20. Calgary (1-2-1): Flames 0-2 since Japan trip.

21. Nashville (1-2-1): Dunham keeps team respectable.

22. Carolina (0-1-3): Irbe almost like wall in two ties.

23. New Jersey (1-3-0): Can’t score more than 2 goals a game.

24. San Jose (0-2-1): Return of Friesen, Nolan welcome.

25. Tampa Bay (0-4-1): Lost three games, two Espositos.

26. Colorado (0-4-1): Too much talent to be this bad.

27. N.Y. Rangers (0-4-1): Schneider’s not the cure.

GAME OF THE WEEK

WASHINGTON CAPITALS AT BUFFALO SABRES

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

Story line--A repeat of last season’s Eastern Conference finals. The Sabres are missing restricted free-agent winger Donald Audette, but they’re not suffering. Their power play has been solid, with at least one goal in each game and a six-for-33 success rate (18.2%). After giving up four goals in the season opener, two-time NHL most valuable player Dominik Hasek is back to his old self, having yielded five goals in his last three games. The Capitals have lost only to the Red Wings, but not everything is going smoothly. They re-signed defenseman Sergei Gonchar to a deal that will pay him $1.5 million this season and $1.8 million next season, but forward Chris Simon was suspended for a game and several practices last week after a shouting match with Coach Ron Wilson. They also lost winger Steve Konowalchuk to an injured ankle.

NUMBERS GAME

Detroit’s Scotty Bowman, who plans to return Thursday after recovering from heart and knee surgery, doesn’t have to worry about being overtaken on the all-time list of games coached :

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Coach Teams Games Cups Scotty Bowman St. Louis, Mont., Buffalo, 1,818 Eight Pitt., Det. Al Arbour St. Louis, N.Y. Islanders 1,606 Four Dick Irvin Chicago, Toronto, Montreal 1,437 Four Billy Reay Toronto, Chicago 1,102 None Jack Adams Toronto St. Pats, Detroit 982 Three Sid Abel Chi., Det., St. Louis, K.C. 963 None Punch Imlach Toronto, Buffalo 879 Four

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