NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record) Comment

1. Toronto (9-3-1-0): Leaves fall, but Leafs are 4-0-1.

2. St. Louis (7-4-0-0): Turek hits stride in 5-1 surge.

3. Phoenix (8-2-3-0): Green scores 8 in 6-1-2 push.

4. Kings (8-3-2-0): Won last 3 without power-play goal.

5. Philadelphia (6-6-1-1): Solid 6-1 revival since 0-5-1-1 start.

6. San Jose (9-5-1-0): Best October in nine seasons.

7. Vancouver (7-4-2-1): From worst to first in Northwest.

8. Ottawa (8-3-1-1): Yashin has Nov. 8 deadline to return.

9. Boston (4-5-4-0): A 4-0-1 streak and Dafoe too.

10. Detroit (7-3-1-1): Defense not as tight as Bowman likes.

11. New Jersey (6-4-1-1): More talent than points.

12. Dallas (6-5-1-0): Tougher to defend Cup than win it.

13. Carolina (5-3-3-0): Canes were doormats in arena opener.

14. Mighty Ducks (6-6-1-1): Can’t get a strong run going.

15. Pittsburgh (2-4-3-1): Jagr bright spot in 0-3-2 streak.

16. Colorado (5-6-2-1): Defense in disarray in 1-4 slide.

17. Florida (6-5-1-2): Bure returns, but wins don’t.

18. Nashville (4-5-1-0): Trying hard, but still no depth.

19. Edmonton (4-5-2-2): Selivanov scores four in last three.

20. Buffalo (3-7-2-0): Dominated--and no Dominator.

21. Tampa Bay (3-6-1-1): Win over Dallas may be season highlight.

22. Chicago (2-5-4-0): Could be trying to trade Gilmour.

23. Calgary (3-8-2-0): No defense for their defense.

24. Montreal (3-8-1-0): Savage (10 goals) can’t stop 0-4-1 skid.

25. N.Y. Rangers (4-7-2-0): GM Smith still living off ’94 Cup.

26. Atlanta (2-6-2-1): Thrashees more often than Thrashers.

27. Washington (2-6-2-0): Wilson can’t halt 0-5-1 streak.

28. N.Y. Islanders (2-6-1-0): Club’s sale prospects in doubt.

GAME OF THE WEEK

Buffalo Sabres at Dallas Stars

When--Wednesday. Time--4:30 p.m. TV--ESPN2.

Story line--Last season’s Stanley Cup finalists meet again, but neither has been playing like a champion. Buffalo goalie Dominik Hasek, last season’s Vezina Trophy winner, had only one victory before he suffered a severe groin pull last Friday and he’s expected to be out several weeks. Martin Biron, his heir apparent, inherits the throne temporarily. The Sabres are 3-2 since an 0-5-2-0 start but their passion is muted. The Stars are last in the tough Pacific Division but what’s more startling is, they’ve given up more goals than they’ve scored (23-26). Injuries have left them reeling, especially on defense, and are a key cause of their 2-4-1 slump.