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Team (Record: )Comment

1. Philadelphia (21-9-10): Unbeaten streak at 14 (9-0-5).

2. Ottawa (22-13-5): Giant killers in 7-0-2 streak.

3. Pittsburgh (19-10-7): Outscores foes, 24-11, in 6-0 streak.

4. New Jersey (22-12-5): Defensive sacrifices have hurt.

5. Toronto (23-15-2): High-scoring Leafs add Berard’s skills.

6. Buffalo (21-11-6): Tough going on 1-2-1 trip.

7. Dallas (25-7-6): Two shutout losses in a row shocking.

8. Detroit (20-18-2): Hockeytown frets over sputtering Wings.

9. Boston (19-14-6): Six game-winners for Samsonov.

10. Carolina (18-16-7): Best in weak Southeast.

11. Phoenix (22-10-5): Blanking Buffalo ends slide.

12. St. Louis (15-14-9): Demitra (21 goals) blossoms.

13. Colorado (18-19-4): Lemieux scores four in last four.

14. Mighty Ducks (16-16-8): Olausson energizes power play.

15. Kings (15-22-4): Climbing from depths in 7-2-1 push.

16. San Jose (13-17-10): Nolan stirs in 7-2-3 surge.

17. Florida (14-14-10): Went 1-0-3 on Western trip.

18. Montreal (15-19-7): Offense revived in 7-1 run.

19. Washington (15-20-3): Turnaround (6-3) may be too late.

20. N.Y. Rangers (16-17-7): Knuble, Graves show grit.

21. Edmonton (16-19-5): Defense sags in 2-5-2 skid.

22. Nashville (14-22-4): Dunham (groin pull) sorely missed.

23. Vancouver (14-22-5): Is upset of Dallas high-water mark?

24. Calgary (13-25-3): Scored only one goal in six straight.

25. N.Y. Islanders (13-26-3): Let the salary dumping begin.

26. Chicago (11-24-6): 0 for 1999 in 0-4-2 slump.

27. Tampa Bay (9-28-3): Proof NHL needs mercy rule.

GAME OF THE WEEK

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS AT PHOENIX COYOTES

When--Wednesday. Time--6 p.m. TV--None.

* Story line--The Penguins deserve credit for ignoring the financial problems that jeopardize their future and winning with a cast led by Jaromir Jagr and filled out by a bunch of second-chance success stories. Robert Lang--he of the occasional incredible move while with the Kings--has 17 goals, a career high. Martin Straka, let go by Florida, has a team-high 19 goals. And so on. The Coyotes’ strong start is fast becoming a memory, as they flail through a 2-4-1 slump. The absence of Keith Tkachuk because of a broken rib doesn’t explain their offensive shutdown.

THE NUMBERS GAME

Although the Tampa Bay Lightning is on pace for a league-worst 58 losses and a mere 44 points, and has a league-low .263 winning percentage, those are far from the worst single-season marks compiled by NHL teams:

Most losses

71--San Jose Sharks, 1992-93 (84-game season)

70--Ottawa Senators, 1992-93 (84 games)

67--Washington Capitals, 1974-75 (80 games)

61--Quebec Nordiques, 1989-90 (80 games)

61--Ottawa Senators, 1993-94 (84 games)

*

Fewest points (minimum 70-game schedule)

21--Washington Capitals, 1974-75 (8-67-5)

24--Ottawa Senators, 1992-93 (10-70-4)

24--San Jose Sharks, 1992-93 (11-71-2)

30--New York Islanders, 1972-73 (12-60-6)

*

Worst winning percentage

.131--Washington Capitals, 1974-75 (8-67-5)

.136--Philadelphia Quakers, 1930-31 (4-36-4)

.143--Ottawa Senators, 1992-93 (10-70-4)

.143--San Jose Sharks, 1992-93 (11-71-2)

.148--Pittsburgh Pirates, 1929-30 (5-36-3)