NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record) Comment

1. New Jersey (33-15-5-4) Young forwards, Brodeur excel.

2. St. Louis (33-14-6-0) Team play, not mirrors.

3. Toronto (30-18-6-3) Defense still spotty.

4. Dallas (29-19-5-2) Peaking at right time.

5. Detroit (31-16-6-1) May need changes on defense.

6. Florida (30-18-4-3) Bure (37) shooting for 50 goals.

7. Phoenix (29-18-6-1) Goaltending still a question.

8. Philadelphia (26-15-10-1) Offense sputters in 1-4-4 skid.

9. Washington (25-18-8-1) Impressive in 11-1-1 surge.

10. Ottawa (25-19-9-2) Offense stumbles in 1-4-3 slump.

11. Colorado (26-20-8-1) Forsberg (concussion) out a week.

12. Kings (23-21-7-3) Slump seems over--for good?

13. N.Y. Rangers (23-23-7-3) Back in hunt on 11-4 push.

14. Pittsburgh (23-25-4-5) Jagr solidifies MVP bid.

15. Calgary (23-24-6-2) Slipping out of West race.

16. Edmonton (18-22-13-7) Salo shines in net.

17. Ducks (22-24-8-1) Can’t let break end momentum.

18. Boston (18-22-14-4) Murphy suspension won’t hurt.

19. Carolina (21-25-8-0) Playoff hopes shaky.

20. San Jose (22-27-7-7) Can’t score in 0-5-1 slide.

21. Nashville (20-28-6-4) Ronning, Kjellberg persistent.

22. Buffalo (21-25-7-1) Time to put up or shut up.

23. Montreal (18-26-7-2) Goaltending is better.

24. Vancouver (15-27-10-6) Might trade Messier to contender.

25. Chicago (18-28-7-2) Molleken, Pulford, no difference.

26. N.Y. Islanders (13-33-6-1) Will rebuilding plan work?

27. Atlanta (11-35-6-4) Expansion team has excuse for losing.

28. Tampa Bay (12-33-6-5) What’s Lightning’s excuse?

GAME OF THE WEEK

DETROIT AT ST. LOUIS

* When--Thursday. Time--4 p.m. TV--ESPN2.

* Story line--The Central Division leaders renew their rivalry. The Red Wings lost their last two games before the all-star break but were 4-0-1 before that; the Blues had won five games in a row and six of seven. Detroit leads the NHL with 182 goals but hasn’t been as steady defensively as in past seasons, and its team goals-against average ranks 16th at 2.93. The Blues’ team goals-against average of 2.07 is the NHL’s best, thanks to goalie Roman Turek’s 2.04 goals-against average and .909 save percentage. Slovakian center Pavol Demitra, who had two goals for the World team in Sunday’s All-Star game, has points in eight consecutive games.