THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

LONNIE WHITE’S NHL RANKINGS AND COMMENTS

Rk Team (record)Comment

1 Detroit

(28-8-3-2)Would Robitaille be on Olympic team if he was born in U.S.A.?

2 Chicago

(23-12-8-0)Record cannot be overlooked any longer.

3 N. Y. Rangers

(22-15-3-2)Low’s wide-open offense is a perfect fit for talent.

4 Edmonton

(21-13-6-2)Confidence took a hit in physical loss to New Jersey.

5 Toronto

(22-12-3-3)Recent slide has fans starting to panic.

6 Colorado

(22-15-4-0)Blake sound enough to take a few shots at the Kings.

7 Boston

(21-11-3-4)Murray starting to feel comfortable playing Ftorek’s system.

8 Philadelphia

(21-11-5-1)Impressive victory over Roy at Colorado is worth notice.

9 Carolina

(20-13-5-5)Maurice has team gaining points in a different way every night.

10 San Jose

(18-11-6-3)Sutter desperately needs more scoring from Selanne.

11 N. Y. Islanders

(19-11-5-2)Defense has suddenly become a liability.

12 St. Louis

(18-11-6-3)Demitra and Young starting to get hot for streaking Blues.

13 Dallas

(17-12-6-4)Despite weak home record, Pacific Division title is within reach.

14 Calgary

(17-13-8-2)Turek hasn’t been so hot since signing his new contract.

15 Ottawa

(20-14-4-1)Getting a chance to boo Yashin a season highlight for fans.

16 New Jersey

(16-14-5-2)Devils barely playing well enough to get into playoffs.

17 Kings

(14-16-7-2)Getting Palffy back in the lineup should give offense a boost.

18 Phoenix

(17-14-6-3)Burke’s play has slipped a little since Olympic team snub.

19 Montreal

(16-16-5-2)Searching for answers after tough overtime loss to Islanders.

20 Washington

(15-17-7-0)Defense has allowed the second-most goals in the league.

21 Mighty Ducks

(13-21-5-3)Could be dangerous if offensive players produced every night.

22 Pittsburgh (14-17-5-2)Only hope is Lemieux and he’s ready to return.

23 Minnesota

(13-17-6-3)Cannot afford to have Gaborik injured and out of the lineup.

24 Nashville

(14-17-6-0)Dominant at home, cream puffs on the road.

25 Tampa Bay

(15-18-3-2)Khabibulin will be a force in next month’s Olympics.

26 Vancouver

(16-22-4-0)Jury still out on whether team will miss Brashear’s toughness.

27 Buffalo

(15-20-4-1)Losing Kozlov until after All-Star break hurts.

28 Florida

(12-20-3-3)Valeri Bure is close to returning and team needs his scoring.

29 Columbus

(10-22-6-1)Whitney’s nine goals lead low-scoring team.

30 Atlanta

(8-23-5-3)Good news: Ferraro finally gets 400th goal.