THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

1 DETROIT

(42-17-10-2)Injured Hasek refuses pay, Cujo’s sprained ankle heals, team goes 7-0-1.

2 TAMPA BAY

(41-18-8-5)Only one regulation loss in last 19, two in last 29. Is Lightning for real?

3 BOSTON

(35-16-14-7)Knuble has goals in four straight, Thornton has four in last six.

4 PHILADELPHIA

(37-17-14-6)NHL’s top power play (23.3%) withstands loss of Roenick (concussion).

5 DALLAS

(36-24-12-0) Winning fits Stars to a T -- Tugnutt, Turco, Turgeon stepping up.

6 OTTAWA

(38-20-9-5) Management talks to Alfredsson about contract extension.

7 MONTREAL

(38-26-6-3)Theodore solid in Habs’ 9-1-0-1 push. Rookie Ryder will be a good one.

8 COLORADO

(38-17-12-5)Barnaby an inspired deadline acquisition for team lacking personality.

9 TORONTO

(39-22-9-3) Maple Leafs might regret not trading for a backup if Belfour’s back goes out.

10 VANCOUVER

(37-22-9-4)Sanderson will fill part of scoring void during Bertuzzi’s suspension.

11 NEW JERSEY

(37-22-11-2)Offense is inconsistent and must awaken before playoffs.

12 SAN JOSE

(35-19-11-6)Sharks miss Sturm (ankle injury), especially on the power play.

13 CALGARY

(36-26-7-3)Beat Colorado, Ottawa, St. Louis in 3-0-2 streak.

14 KINGS

(28-20-16-7)Chugging along despite weak power play, penalty killing.

15 NASHVILLE

(33-26-10-3)Bad time for 0-2-2-1 slump. Power play, Vokoun keep Predators going.

16 ST. LOUIS

(33-27-10-2)Loss to Calgary on Sunday ended 4-0-2 push. Must start anew.

17 EDMONTON

(29-27-12-4)Nedved helps Oilers without cost; Rangers are paying his salary.

18 N.Y. ISLANDERS

(31-26-10-4)Only one win in last seven. Doesn’t speak well for character.

19 BUFFALO

(31-31-6-4)Sabres have character, but not enough size, scoring depth.

20 PITTSBURGH

(17-44-7-4)Up from the depths! Penguins go 6-2-2, find ways to score.

21 MINNESOTA

(23-26-20-2)Wild looking at some kids. Future might not be so bad.

22 FLORIDA

(26-29-14-3)Luongo is really the only reason to watch Panthers now.

23 N.Y. RANGERS

(25-35-7-6)Sather’s fire sale revamps aging, overpaid team.

24 CAROLINA

(24-30-13-5)Classy of ‘Canes to trade Francis to Maple Leafs for almost nothing.

25 DUCKS

(25-30-9-8)The end is near. The postmortem should be interesting.

26 ATLANTA

(29-34-7-3)Heatley (8 goals, 19 points in 22 games) is finding rhythm.

27 COLUMBUS

(20-40-8-4)Outscored, 24-10, in losing six straight. Never put pieces together.

28 WASHINGTON

(21-41-8-2)Kolzig ($12.75 million next two years) too pricey to be trade bait.

29 CHICAGO

(19-37-9-6)Blackhawks doing all they can to alienate the few fans they have left.

30 PHOENIX

(20-31-16-5)Poor defense and goaltending in 0-8-2-2 slide. Comrie’s not helping.