NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

1. Colorado (44-12-9-4) Showing no signs of weakness.

2. Detroit (41-17-8-4) Unbeatable at home, human on road.

3. St. Louis (39-17-9-4) MacInnis sidelined for season?

4. Ottawa (39-19-8-3) Let win slip away against Capitals.

5. Dallas (38-24-5-2) Don’t underestimate Stars.

6. Washington (37-20-10-2) Climbing steadily in East.

7. New Jersey (36-17-12-3) Like a snake in the high grass.

8. Philadelphia (36-21-10-2) Lindros deal at hand?

9. Edmonton (34-24-9-2) Won eight in a row.

10. Vancouver (34-22-6-7) Questions remain in goal.

11. Pittsburgh (35-24-8-2) Lemieux has made a difference.

12. Buffalo (36-26-5-1) Peca to be traded at deadline?

13. San Jose (35-22-11-1) Faltering down the stretch.

14. Phoenix (31-22-14-2) Tkachuk next to go?

15. Toronto (31-23-11-5) Loser in Lindros derby?

16. Kings (31-27-10-1) Hot, but running in place.

17. Carolina (30-27-8-3) Talk about uninspiring.

18. Boston (28-28-6-7) Playoff spot is there for taking.

19. Nashville (28-32-8-3) Dull but getting it done.

20. Chicago (28-31-7-3) Almost out of playoff picture.

21. Calgary (23-28-13-4) Will Flames deal Valeri Bure?

22. Minnesota (24-31-10-4) Credible inaugural season.

23. Ducks (22-35-8-5) Getting “Jiggy” with it at last.

24. N.Y. Rangers (27-36-5-1) Hebert won’t help much in net.

25. Columbus (22-33-7-6) Quick, name a Blue Jacket.

26. Montreal (23-37-6-4) Talk about a civic disgrace.

27. Florida (18-33-10-9) Bure brothers to be united?

28. Atlanta (20-35-12-2) Resigned to expansion purgatory.

29. Tampa Bay (20-40-6-3) Now must sign Khabibulin.

30. N.Y. Islanders (18-43-5-3) Is this a rerun?

Game of the Week

ST. LOUIS at PHILADELPHIA

When--Tonight. Time--4 PST. TV--ESPN2.

* Story line--Imagine it: Bob Clarke, Philadelphia’s crusty general manager, deals Eric Lindros, concussion-prone restricted free agent, to the Blues by today’s noon trade deadline. Lindros signs a quick deal with the Blues and is on the ice to face his former team tonight. Yeah, it’s a little far-fetched. But this still figures to be a classic matchup of desperate teams hoping to push as hard as possible to secure their best possible seeding for the playoffs. Both teams have all but clinched playoff berths. Keep an eye on Philadelphia goalie Roman Cechmanek, who is as fun to watch as any goalie in the league. His unorthodox style has helped the Flyers get within striking distance of the Eastern Conference leaders. The Blues will be without defensemen Chris Pronger (broken forearm) and Al MacInnis (eye injury).