NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record) Comment

1. Detroit (48-22-10-2) Scored 34 in 5-0-2 streak.

2. St. Louis (50-18-11-0) Overcoming absence of Demitra.

3. Colorado 39-29-11-1) Offense, defense jell in 5-0 streak.

4. Dallas (43-27-9-6) Most losses since 42 in 1995-96.

5. Washington (43-25-11-2) Reformed goon Simon has 29 goals.

6. Toronto (43-29-7-3) Defense must tighten.

7. Kings (37-31-11-4) Buchberger’s grit contagious.

8. New Jersey (44-28-8-5) Good, but can be better.

9. Philadelphia (41-25-12-3) Offense sluggish in 2-3 stall.

10. Florida (42-31-6-5) Bure scores eleven in 6-2-1 push.

11. Buffalo (34-35-10-3) East champs rebound with 6-1 surge.

12. Carolina (35-35-10-0) Irbe keeps them in East hunt.

13. Pittsburgh (35-36-8-6) Jagr’s return a huge boost.

14. Phoenix (38-34-7-4) Green, Adams finally awaken.

15. Ottawa (38-29-11-2) Nothing clicks in 1-4 slump.

16. Edmonton (30-33-16-8) Can’t catch Colorado.

17. Montreal (33-37-9-4) Most points with least talent.

18. Vancouver (29-36-14-8) Still in West scramble.

19. Mighty Ducks (33-34-12-2) Hanging on by a thread.

20. San Jose (33-36-10-7) Shouldn’t be in precarious spot.

21. Calgary (31-38-10-5) Brathwaite keeps them hopeful.

22. Nashville (28-45-7-7) Making most of spoiler role.

23. Chicago (30-39-10-2) Amonte gets $300G for 40 goals.

24. Boston (23-36-19-6) Time may run out on Pat Burns.

25. N.Y. Rangers (29-39-12-3) Bye-bye Smith, Muckler, playoffs.

26. N.Y. Islanders (22-48-9-1) Nine home wins a franchise low.

27. Tampa Bay (18-51-9-7) The end is near.

28. Atlanta (14-57-7-4) The end isn’t near enough.

GAME OF THE WEEK

BUFFALO AT NEW JERSEY

When--Thursday. Time--4:30. TV--None.

* Story line--The defending East champion Sabres are scrambling with Carolina and Montreal for the final conference playoff berth, and they have a tough road against the Devils, Penguins and Capitals. The Sabres have won six of their last seven games, including a shutout by Dominik Hasek on Saturday at Montreal. The Devils, 3-3 since Robbie Ftorek was fired and replaced by former King coach Larry Robinson, are trying to hold off Philadelphia, Washington and Toronto for the conference’s best record and the top playoff seeding. Goalie Martin Brodeur leads the NHL with 42 wins.