NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

1. Colorado (19-4-3-0): And just got Forsberg back.

2. St. Louis (17-4-3-0): Turgeon benched for big rally vs. Leafs.

3. San Jose (16-5-3-0): Nolan: 11 points in six games.

4. Ottawa (15-7-4-0): Think Ducks would like Lalime back?

5. New Jersey (12-8-5-0): Why can’t Devils beat Islanders?

6. Detroit (16-9-1-2): Stevie Y. close to returning.

7. Dallas (14-7-3-1): Hull to Hitchcock: Leave Modano alone.

8. Toronto (14-7-4-2): Rebounds from shocking loss to Blues.

9. Vancouver (15-8-3-2): 10-1-2 when scoring first.

10. Edmonton (14-11-4-0): Expected slide is starting.

11. Buffalo (13-8-2-1): Peca nearing end of holdout?

12. Phoenix (13-8-6-0): Lemieux should help offense.

13. Pittsburgh (12-9-3-1): Four-point weekend ends Jagr’s slump.

14. N.Y. Rangers (13-14-0-0): Richter struggling in net.

15. Kings (12-9-6-0): Which team, 1-3-2 or 6-0-2?

16. Philadelphia (11-11-4-0): Special teams not special.

17. Nashville (10-11-5-1): Still hanging around .500.

18. Mighty Ducks (9-12-4-3): Hebert’s return could help/hurt.

19. Washington (9-10-6-1): If only they could stay home.

20. Chicago (10-13-2-2): If only they could stay on road.

21. Carolina (10-11-3-1): With Irbe, anything is possible.

22. N.Y. Islanders (7-12-4-2): Vanbiesbrouck bedevils New Jersey.

23. Tampa Bay (9-12-2-2): Rookie Richards is impressive.

24. Montreal (9-15-3-0): 2-0-2 typical coach-change bounce.

25. Boston (8-14-3-2): Can’t play together.

26. Minnesota (7-15-4-1): Tough 0-3 trip.

27. Atlanta (8-10-6-1): Some unimpressive victories.

28. Calgary (6-13-6-4): V. Bure: three goals in 27 games.

29. Columbus (7-18-1-1): Eight consecutive losses.

30. Florida (5-11-5-4): Recent one-for-54 powerless play.

Game of the Week

Colorado at New Jersey

Tonight--4:30 PST. TV: ESPN2.

* Story line--Potentially, a preview of the Stanley Cup finals. Colorado has the best record in the NHL and has goalie Patrick Roy. New Jersey is the Stanley Cup champion and has goalie Martin Brodeur. The Devils also have an eight-game unbeaten streak. Watch the puck-handling by the goalies. Roy believes he is good at it. Brodeur is the best in hockey.