NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record) Comment

1. Detroit (6-1-1-0): Outscored foes, 23-10, in 5-0-1 run.

2. Phoenix (5-1-3-0): Defense solid in 3-0-2 streak.

3. Ottawa (6-2-1-0): Balanced offense keeps rolling.

4. St. Louis (6-3-0-0): Turek hot in 6-1 surge.

5. Toronto (7-3-1-0): Is Khristich solution or problem?

6. Colorado (5-3-2-0): Rookie Tanguay a keeper.

7. Dallas (6-4-1-0): Champs weakened by injuries.

8. Carolina (4-2-3-0): Kapanen (seven goals):leads offense.

9. Vancouver (5-3-2-1): Weekes shines during 2-1-2 trip.

10. Nashville (4-3-1-0): Hustle fuels 4-1 surge.

11. Kings (5-3-2-0): Settling into office supply center.

12. Philadelphia (4-5-1-1): Vanbiesbrouck: three shutouts in row.

13. Pittsburgh (2-2-2-0): Jagr goal streak is five games.

14. San Jose (7-5-0-0): Defense stumbles in 0-3 skid.

15. New Jersey (4-3-1-1): Scored only two on 0-2 trip.

16. Mighty Ducks (4-5-1-1): Power play, offense disappointing.

17. Boston (2-5-4-0): Bruins go 2-0-1 in California.

18. Florida (5-3-1-1): 2-3 since Bure pulled groin.

19. Tampa Bay (2-4-1-1): Richer scores five in last four.

20. Calgary (2-6-2-0): Fuhr gets little help.

21. Montreal (3-7-0-0): Savage (10 goals):only bright spot.

22. Washington (2-3-2-0): Started Western trip with tie.

23. Edmonton (2-5-2-2): Weight not carrying his weight.

24. N.Y. Rangers (4-7-1-0): Can buy anything but a goal.

25. Buffalo (1-6-2-0): Hasek 0 for 1999-2000.

26. N.Y. Islanders (2-4-1-0): Potvin on trading block?

27. Atlanta (1-4-2-1): Feisty but overmatched.

28. Chicago (0-4-4-0): Great franchise sinks lower.

GAME OF THE WEEK

COLORADO AVALANCHE at DETROIT RED WINGS

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

* Story line--An emotional rivalry will be renewed. The Red Wings defeated the then-Stanley Cup champion Avalanche in the 1997 Western Conference finals, and the Avalanche got revenge by defeating the two-time champion Red Wings in six games in the second round of the playoffs last spring. Detroit is 5-0-1 since losing at Dallas on Oct. 5, and Colorado has won four of its last five. Detroit’s Brendan Shanahan has awakened and has three goals in his last five games, as does second-year Colorado forward Milan Hejduk, giving him six overall. Detroit goalie Chris Osgood has a 1.43 goals-against average and .938 save average, compared with Patrick Roy’s 2.20 and .926 with Colorado.