TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record) Comment

1. Dallas (42-16-11): Back to normal with 4-0-1 streak.

2. New Jersey (42-18-9): Defense still Devils’ forte.

3. Detroit (38-19-14): Bowman’s troops go 4-1-1.

4. Pittsburgh (36-19-14): Classy Francis gets 1,000th assist.

5. Colorado (36-19-16): Post-break break refreshes Roy.

6. Philadelphia (36-21-11): Neilson a genius--4-1-2.

7. Kings (32-25-11): Blake having Norris Trophy season.

8. Boston (31-25-13): Dafoe da man in 5-2 surge.

9. Washington (32-26-11): Olie the goalie wins three in a row.

10. St. Louis (36-26-8): No offense in four-game losing streak.

11. Montreal (32-28-9): Lost three in a row by one goal.

12. Buffalo (28-25-15): Hasek still dominating.

13. Chicago (28-30-12): Back-to-back blanks by Hackett.

14. Phoenix (27-31-12): Big win over San Jose.

15. Edmonton (27-33-10): Weight must carry his weight.

16. Ottawa (27-30-12): Bad time for 0-2-2 slump.

17. Carolina (27-34-7): Power play disappears.

18. N.Y. Rangers (22-31-17): Lost weekend kills them.

19. San Jose (27-35-7): Two goals in last three games.

20. Calgary (22-34-13): Iginla awakens.

21. Ducks (23-37-10): Much too little, way too late.

22. N.Y. Islanders (23-35-10): Milbury gets first win.

23. Toronto (24-36-9): Offense dries up in 0-3-1 skid.

24. Vancouver (21-37-13): Keenan can’t pull off miracle.

25. Tampa Bay (16-43-9): No more lovable losers.

26. Florida (18-39-12): The beatings go on.

Game of the Week

NEW JERSEY at COLORADO

* When--Thursday. Time--6 p.m. TV--None.

* Story line--The Atlantic Division leader plays the Pacific leader. The Devils’ team goals-against average of 1.93 is the NHL’s best and Martin Brodeur, with 38 victories, is pursuing the single-season record of 47 set by Bernie Parent in 1973-74. The line of Randy McKay (20 goals), Bobby Holik (29) and Dave Andreychuk (12) has been their most effective. The Avalanche has won two games in a row after being given a few days off last week by Coach Marc Crawford. Center Peter Forsberg is second in scoring with 85 points, including a league-leading 63 assists. Patrick Roy has the most victories of any active goalie, 378.