TOP TO BOTTOM / NHL

Team (Record) Comment

1. St. Louis (42-16-7-0) Quenneville coach of the year.

2. Washington (34-21-11-1) Defense shines in 4-0-1 run.

3. Detroit (39-20-7-1) Wings fly in 3-0-1 streak.

4. Toronto (36-23-7-3) Balanced scoring wins five of six.

5. Ottawa (33-22-11-2) Hossa scores five in 5-1-2 surge.

6. Dallas (36-24-6-3) Injuries still a factor.

7. New Jersey (38-21-8-5) Offense wobbly in 0-2-1 skid.

8. Philadelphia (34-20-11-2) Could have used Bourque.

9. Florida (35-26-5-5) Missing spark in 3-7-1 slide.

10. Kings (31-26-8-3) Playoff fate in their hands.

11. Calgary (28-30-8-5) Brathwaite a marvel in net.

12. Carolina (28-29-9-0) No hope if Irbe falters.

13. Edmonton (25-26-15-8) Selivanov (22 goals) is available.

14. N.Y. Rangers (27-30-10-3) Finally developing grit, unity.

15. Colorado (30-27-10-1) Bold trade for Bourque.

16. Montreal (28-31-7-3) Playoffs a real possibility.

17. Vancouver (23-31-12-7) Mogilny, Messier lead 5-1-2 charge.

18. Ducks (28-29-10-1) Must make up ground soon.

19. San Jose (28-32-8-7) Sharks still have teeth.

20. Phoenix (33-25-7-1) Spinning wheels in 1-5-1 slide.

21. Pittsburgh (27-30-8-6) 1-4-2 without injured Jagr.

22. Chicago (24-34-7-2) Talent hints in 4-1 surge.

23. Buffalo (26-31-10-2) Offense vanishes in 1-4-1 decline.

24. N.Y. Islanders (19-39-8-1) Scatchard, Jokinen show promise.

25. Boston (19-30-17-4) Bourque’s right: Bruins are hopeless.

26. Nashville (22-38-6-6) Just can’t score enough.

27. Tampa Bay (15-42-7-6) End can’t come too soon.

28. Atlanta (12-47-6-4) Latest losing streak hits six.

GAME OF THE WEEK

PHILADELPHIA AT COLORADO

When-Sunday. Time--5 p.m. TV--ESPN.

* Story line--A five-game homestand begins for the Avalanche, which has slipped behind Edmonton in the Northwest and is fighting for a playoff spot. Coach Bob Hartley broke up Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg and put Sakic between Alex Tanguay and Milan Hejduk. Sakic scored four goals in two games, both won by Colorado. Goalie Patrick Roy ranks second in victories with 435, 12 short of leader Terry Sawchuk. The Flyers, still sorting out their goaltending, started rookie Brian Boucher the last three games and in five of seven. Boucher has played well but has no NHL playoff experience; they can’t trust veteran John Vanbiesbrouck and may make a deal.