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Team (Record): Comment

1. Dallas (24-5-6): Stars trek to top with 11-0-3 streak.

2. Philadelphia (18-9-10): Good balance in 6-0-5 run.

3. Phoenix (21-8-4): Steady without Tkachuk, Roenick.

4. New Jersey (21-10-4): Defensive play faltering.

5. Carolina (18-14-6): Sheppard, Primeau lead charge.

6. Toronto (21-14-2): Offense slowing but still strong.

7. Ottawa (18-13-4): Speed, scoring, defense in 3-0-1 run.

8. Pittsburgh (16-10-7): Lang, Jagr fuel 3 straight wins.

9. Buffalo (20-9-5): Hasek looks mortal in Sabres’ 1-3 skid.

10. Detroit (19-16-2): Chicago sweep could start turnaround.

11. St. Louis (13-12-9): Still seeking more goals.

12. Boston (17-13-6): Offense inconsistent in 2-4 skid.

13. Mighty Ducks (14-14-8): Selanne scores 10 in last nine.

14. Edmonton (15-17-4): Defense disappointingly soft.

15. Colorado (16-18-3): Still not clicking in 3-6-1 slide.

16. Kings (13-21-3): Solid in 5-1 run, but will miss Murray.

17. San Jose (11-16-8): Sturm steps up in 5-1-1 push.

18. Montreal (12-18-7): Defense shines in 4 straight wins.

19. Florida (13-14-7): Jovanovski may be trade bait.

20. N.Y. Rangers (14-15-7): Nedved lifts stodgy offense.

21. Washington (12-20-3): Recent wins show life.

22. Nashville (13-20-3): Low-scoring, expansion-team blues.

23. N.Y. Islanders (13-23-2): At least Nashville has excuse.

24. Vancouver (13-20-4): Outscored, 17-5, in losing last five.

25. Calgary (12-22-3): Bye-bye playoffs, Theo.

26. Chicago (11-22-4): How to ruin a team and alienate fans.

27. Tampa Bay (9-24-3): Lightning almost out of playoff race.

GAME OF THE WEEK

BUFFALO SABRES AT MIGHTY DUCKS

When--Wednesday. Time--7:30 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports West 2.

* Story line--The NHL’s top scorer, Duck winger Paul Kariya, against the NHL’s top goaltender and winner of the last two MVP trophies, Dominik Hasek of the Sabres. Anaheim made Hasek look mortal Friday at Buffalo by scoring seven goals against him, but he still leads the league with 19 wins and a .937 save percentage. The Ducks can solidify their hold on the fifth playoff spot. The Sabres are battling Toronto for the Northeast lead. This opens a four-game Western trip for the Sabres, who are only 3-2-1 against Western Conference opponents.

THE NUMBERS GAME

Detroit defenseman Larry Murphy played in his 1,433rd game Saturday, sixth on the all-time list:

Player; Teams Seasons (Games)

Gordie Howe; Detroit, Hartford26 (1,767)

Alex Delvecchio; Detroit24 (1,549)

John Bucyk; Detroit, Boston23 (1,540)

*Wayne Gretzky; Edmon., Kings, StL., Rangers20 (1,454)

Tim Horton; Toronto, Rangers, Pitt., Buff.24 (1,446)

*Larry Murphy; Kings, Wash., Minn., Pitt., Tor., Det.19 (1,434)

Mike Gartner; Wash., Minn., Rangers, Tor, Phx.19(1,432)

Harry Howell; Rangers, Calif., Kings21 (1,411)

Norm Ullman; Detroit, Toronto20 (1,410)

*Ray Bourque; Boston20 (1,409)

*-Active