TIMES’ RANKINGS

Team (Record): Comment

1. Dallas (5-1-1): Nieuwendyk’s return adds depth.

2. Detroit (5-2-0): Yzerman, Shanahan flying.

3. Toronto (5-2-1): Leafs are top guns with 26 goals.

4. Philadelphia (4-1-2): Leave it to Beezer in goal.

5. Chicago (4-2-1): Amonte scores four in 3-0-1 streak.

6. Washington (3-2-2): Surgical tape holds Capitals together.

7. Vancouver (4-3-0): Keenan, Burke work minor miracles.

8. St. Louis (3-2-1): Nine-goal feast in last two games.

9. Kings (3-2-2): Manny’s the big man in goal.

10. Carolina (2-2-3): Kidd winless, Irbe 2-0-2. Go figure.

11. Florida (2-1-3): Offense averages one goal in last three.

12. New Jersey (3-3-0): Power play awakens in 3-1 surge.

13. Montreal (3-3-1): Scoreless Recchi key to balky offense.

14. Tampa Bay (3-4-1): Good defense in winning three straight.

15. Edmonton (3-4-0): Five goals for Guerin in last four.

16. Phoenix (3-2-1): Tkachuk backs words with action.

17. Ottawa (3-3-0): Yashin quiet in three-game losing streak.

18. Pittsburgh (3-2-1): Jagr keeps them afloat.

19. Ducks (2-3-1): Usual script: Selanne, Kariya, Hebert.

20. Boston (3-4-1): Scores two in losing last three.

21. Buffalo (2-3-1): Hasek not the Dominator yet.

22. N.Y. Islanders (3-4-0): Zagging without Ziggy.

23. N.Y. Rangers (2-4-2): Grinders assemble 2-0-2 streak.

24. Colorado (1-5-1): Sakic (10 points) can’t rally troops.

25. Calgary (2-4-1): Flames flicker, lose four of five.

26. Nashville (1-5-1): More like prey than predators.

27. San Jose (0-4-2): Toothless Sharks only winless team.

GAME OF THE WEEK

DETROIT RED WINGS AT DALLAS STARS

When--Saturday. Time--5:30 p.m. TV--None.

Story line--A reprise of last season’s Western Conference finals, won by Detroit in six games. The Red Wings, with Scotty Bowman coaching again after heart and knee surgeries, lead the Central Division. Brendan Shanahan is having a fine start for the Red Wings, with seven goals and 10 points. He and teammate Steve Yzerman (one goal, 10 points) are in a group tied for second in scoring. They trail Dallas defenseman Darryl Sydor--the same Sydor who was nearly ruined by then-King coach Barry Melrose. Sydor is tied for the league scoring lead with four goals and 11 points. Dallas, which leads the Pacific Division, has the NHL’s best home record (5-0) and best power play (13 for 48, 27.1%).