THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

*--* Rk. Team (Rec.) Comment 1 TORONTO (29-13-8-3) Tough guy Domi wears visor. Up next: the Apocalypse. 2 PHILADELPHIA (26-12-11-5) Balanced scoring, steady play of Esche are Flyers’ strengths. 3 OTTAWA (28-14-7-3) Squandered lead over Dallas, one-for-14 power play vs. Toronto are concerns. 4 VANCOUVER (30-15-7-2) Offense awakens for 25 goals in winning five of six. 5 COLORADO (29-11-9-3) Still say Aebischer is Avalanche’s guy, but veteran backup might be sought. 6 DETROIT (29-15-8-2) Cujo told he’s ‘the Man’ even after Hasek (groin) returns. 7 NEW JERSEY (27-13-10-1) Little big man: Gionta scores three goals in last three games. 8 DALLAS (26-20-9-0) Guerin, Modano, Morrow awaken to spark offense in 5-0-1 streak. 9 TAMPA BAY (27-16-6-3) GM Feaster says he won’t trade Khabibulin, now a backup. 10 BOSTON (25-14-11-4) Glen Murray (eight goals in last six) has hot hand. 11 NASHVILLE (26-18-6-2) Mobile defense, scrappiness are foundations of 8-2-2 surge. 12 N.Y. ISLANDERS (25-20-5-2) Hunter (19 goals) cements status as league’s top rookie. 13 KINGS (21-15-12-5) Comeback kids grind and scratch, move up in 5-1-2 push. 14 SAN JOSE (24-13-11-5) Marleau steps up, but Damphousse (six goals) disappoints. 15 MONTREAL (26-20-6-2) Offense sputters, but rookie Ryder still impressive. 16 BUFFALO (23-25-5-1) Power play seven for 26, goaltending solid in winning five of six. 17 CALGARY (26-19-4-3) McLennan carries playoff hopes on his shoulders. 18 ST. LOUIS (25-19-7-1) Scored seven goals in 0-6-1 skid. Playoffs no longer a sure thing. 19 MINNESOTA (18-20-15-2) Wait till last year. Never overcame loss of Gaborik, Dupuis. 20 PHOENIX (18-18-14-2) Burke 0-6 since win on Dec. 23. Doesn’t help his trade value. 21 ATLANTA (21-25-6-2) Heatley’s return a big boost, but not enough to make playoffs. 22 FLORIDA (17-22-11-3) Luongo’s goaltending keeps young lineup in most games. 23 CAROLINA (17-24-10-2) O’Neill supposedly available, but he won’t come cheap. 24 EDMONTON (21-24-8-1) Defensive collapses undermine Oilers’ playoff chances. 25 N.Y. RANGERS (20-23-7-4) They’re 2-4 with Jagr. Will Glen Sather keep GM job? 26 DUCKS (16-23-8-7) So much for building on Friday’s victory over Colorado. 27 WASHINGTON (16-30-5-2) Owner Leonsis suspended for scuffle with fan. No lawsuit -- amazing. 28 COLUMBUS (15-27-8-3) Arbitrator appointed to investigate Zherdev dispute. 29 CHICAGO (13-29-7-5) Planning to hire full-time goalie coach. What took so long? 30 PITTSBURGH (11-35-5-3) With Fleury back in juniors, they’re just another terrible team.

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