Top to Bottom : CAPSULES AND RANKINGS

Team (Record): 1. Colorado (38-14-8)

Comment: Avalanche wins six in a row, re-signs Peter Forsberg.

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Team (Record): 2. Philadelphia

Comment: (35-17-9) Garth Snow challenges Ron Hextall as No. 1 goalie.

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Team (Record): 3. Buffalo (32-19-10)

Comment: Sabres’ streak hits 7-0-5. Opponents outscored, 38-20.

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Team (Record): 4. New Jersey (29-18-12)

Comment: Devils’ unbeaten streak ended at 13, but they’ll start another.

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Team (Record): 5. Dallas (36-22-4)

Comment: Stars win four of five, solidify position in the West.

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Team (Record): 6. Detroit (29-19-12)

Comment: Scotty Bowman’s troops get hot again, going 5-1-2.

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Team (Record): 7. Florida (28-19-14)

Comment: Johan Garpenlov (knee) is sidelined again. Team in 0-4-1 slump.

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Team (Record): 8. Edmonton (29-27-6)

Comment: Oilers lose two after Doug Weight hurts ankle, slump continues.

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Team (Record): 9. St. Louis (28-27-8)

Comment: Pierre Turgeon, Brett Hull need more support.

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Team (Record): 10. Pittsburgh (31-24-5)

Comment: Penguins’ defense fails in 1-7 slump. Jaromir Jagr still hurting.

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Team (Record): 11. N.Y. Rangers (28-26-9)

Comment: Mark Messier’s back hurts, Rangers on 0-5-2 streak.

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Team (Record): 12. Chicago (25-28-8)

Comment: An 8-2 surge turns Blackhawks around. Brent Sutter is key.

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Team (Record): 13. Phoenix (27-30-4)

Comment: Ugly uniforms,talent wasted despite veterans.

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Team (Record): 14. Hartford (24-28-8)

Comment: Revives with shutout of Capitols, tie with Flyers, rout of Rangers.

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Team (Record): 15. Calgary (25-30-7)

Comment: A 6-2-1 run keeps Flames hot, including rookie Jarome Iginla.

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Team (Record): 16. Montreal (22-29-11)

Comment: Defense disorganized. Vincent Damphousse has one goal in 14 games.

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Team (Record): 17. Ottawa (20-27-23)

Comment: Senators stay in East race de spite seesaw 2-4-3 stretch.

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Team (Record): 18. Vancouver (27-31-2)

Comment: Canucks falling out of playoff picture. No intensity, no goals.

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Team (Record): 19. Ducks (25-30-6)

Comment: Wins three of four. J.J. Daigneault adds finesse, not muscle.

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Team (Record): 20. Tampa Bay (23-29-7)

Comment: Streaky Lightning goes on the upswing again with 4-0-1 surge.

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Team (Record): 21. Washington (23-30-7)

Comment: NHL’s weakest offense produces five goals in 0-3-1 streak.

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Team (Record): 22. Kings (20-33-8)

Comment: Wins over Ducks and Canucks show tenacity. Too little too late?

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Team (Record): 23. N.Y. Islanders (20-30-10)

Comment: Upset of Penguins keeps them in race, but they need a win streak.

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Team (Record): 24. San Jose (21-33-6)

Comment: Ed Belfour’s return may come too late for 1-7-1 Sharks.

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Team (Record): 25. Toronto (23-36-2)

Comment: Wins battle with Canadiens but will lose war for playoff spot.

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Team (Record): 26. Boston (20-33-8)

Comment: Bruins hit bottom during 0-8-2 slump.

GAME OF THE WEEK

BUFFALO AT NEW JERSEY

* When--Thursday. Time--4:30 p.m. TV--None.

* Storyline--This promises to be a goaltending clinic, with Buffalo’s Dominik Hasek--who leads the NHL with 31 victories and a .927 save percentage--facing New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur, who has a league-leading 2.01 goals-against average. Buffalo remains one of the NHL’s biggest surprises, building a solid lead over Pittsburgh in the Northeast with a team of pluggers. New Jersey also has few gunners and wins by team effort. Others to watch: Buffalo’s Michael Peca, who is developing into a solid two-way center, and New Jersey rookie center Dennis Pederson, who has 10 goals and 25 points.