Top to Bottom : CAPSULES AND RANKINGS

Team (Record): 1. Colorado (43-18-9)

Comment: Wins over Penguins, Red Wings keep them at the top.

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Team (Record): 2. New Jersey (38-20-12)

Comment: Devils had pulled even with Flyers in the East with 9-2 run.

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Team (Record): 3. Philadelphia (39-21-10)

Comment: Defense, goaltending shaky in 2-4 stretch.

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Team (Record): 4. Buffalo (37-21-11)

Comment: Sabres have lost only two of last 20, both to New Jersey.

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Team (Record): 5. Dallas (41-23-6)

Comment: Gotta get to Stars early; they’re 31-0-3 when leading after two.

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Team (Record): 6. Detroit (33-21-15)

Comment: Red Wings are 7-2-5 in last month but led in each tie.

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Team (Record): 7. Florida (32-23-16)

Comment: Ray Sheppard (five goals in three games) fuels 3-0-1 mini-streak.

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Team (Record): 8. N.Y. Rangers (33-29-9)

Comment: Loss to Ottawa Monday shows they need work.

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Team (Record): 9. Edmonton (32-32-7)

Comment: Oilers sluggish on 2-3 trip and throughout 3-7-1 slump.

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Team (Record): 10. Ducks (29-30-11)

Comment: Lots of ties, but 6-0-5 run sustains playoff hopes.

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Team (Record): 11. Phoenix (33-33-5)

Comment: Keith Tkachuk takes charge, scoring four goals in last five.

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Team (Record): 12. St. Louis (30-32-9)

Comment: Breakup of Courtnall-Turgeon-Hull line balances Blues’ offense.

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Team (Record): 13. Pittsburgh (32-30-7)

Comment: New Coach Craig Patrick can’t stop Penguins’ 1-8-2 skid.

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Team (Record): 14. Calgary (30-34-8)

Comment: Goalie Trevor Kidd ends seven-game trip with two wins and a tie.

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Team (Record): 15. Chicago (28-31-12)

Comment: Tony Amonte carries Blackhawks while injured Chris Chelios sits.

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Team (Record): 16. Hartford (27-33-10)

Comment: Whalers score five goals, all on power play, lose three straight.

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Team (Record): 17. Montreal (25-32-14)

Comment: Defense has tightened, giving up seven goals in last four.

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Team (Record): 18. Tampa Bay (27-34-7)

Comment: Lightning’s playoff chances dim after losing five of six.

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Team (Record): 19. Washington (27-35-7)

Comment: Power play is 0 for five games. Offense still inconsistent.

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Team (Record): 20. Vancouver (29-37-4)

Comment: A 1-5-2 slide takes Canucks out of West playoff picture.

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Team (Record): 21. Kings (25-27-9)

Comment: Looking at the lottery after listless losses to Blues and Flames.

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Team (Record): 22. Boston (24-38-9)

Comment: Bruins have earned their first sub-.500 season in 30 years.

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Team (Record): 23. Ottawa (23-33-23)

Comment: Nice try, but Senators won’t crack top eight in the East.

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Team (Record): 24. N.Y. Islanders (24-36-10)

Comment: About to fade from East race after 1-3 trip.

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Team (Record): 25. Toronto (26-38-6)

Comment: Who’s out the door next is only question left this season.

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Team (Record): 26. San Jose (23-39-7)

Comment: Sharks’ 1-7 fade will leave Shark tank empty come playoff time.

GAME OF THE WEEK

COLORADO at PHILADELPHIA

* When--Sunday. Time--5 p.m. TV--ESPN.

* Storyline--A possible preview of the Stanley Cup finals. The Avalanche has had a fairly easy time maintaining its lead in the West, but the Flyers were caught by New Jersey on Saturday and now share the East lead. Philadelphia winger John LeClair just passed Pittsburgh’s Jaromir Jagr for the NHL goal-scoring lead with 46. Colorado has no one among the top 15 scorers but as a team leads the NHL with 240 goals.