NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record): Comment

1. Kings (11-4-4-0): Best in West off 7-1-2 push.

2. Philadelphia (10-7-2-1): LeClair, Lindros stay hot.

3. Detroit (11-4-3-1): Bowman vs. cameraman a draw.

3. Boston (8-6-4-0): Carter, Axelsson hot.

5. Ottawa (12-5-1-1): Hossa (11 goals) proves worth.

6. St. Louis (10-6-1-0): MacInnis’ return a boost.

7. New Jersey (9-6-2-1): Lemieux brings back edge.

8. Vancouver (9-5-4-1): Kids spur 3-1-2 surge.

9. Florida (9-6-2-2): Bure returns in third straight win.

10. Phoenix (9-6-3-0): Power play 0 for three games.

11. Colorado (8-7-3-1): Hejduk, Drury weren’t flukes.

12. Toronto (11-6-3-1): Offense stalls in 0-3-2 slide.

13. San Jose (11-9-2-1): Seven-game trip starts 0-3-1.

14. Dallas (8-8-1-0): Still not playing like a champ.

15. Carolina (7-7-3-0): Won’t sign or trade Primeau.

16. Mighty Ducks (8-9-2-1): No spark, no power play.

17. Nashville (6-9-1-1): Dunham keeps them respectable.

18. Buffalo (7-9-2-0): 0 for Florida on 4-game trip.

19. Washington (6-8-2-1): Improvement is slow.

20. Tampa Bay (6-9-1-1): Beat big boys, lose to slugs.

21. N.Y. Rangers (6-10-3-0): Power play last at 5 for 79.

22. Pittsburgh (4-8-3-2): Constantine blamed unfairly.

23. Montreal (5-12-1-1): Fans unhappy despite two wins.

24. Edmonton (5-8-5-3): Finally wins one on road.

25. Calgary (5-10-2-0): Wake Flames when OT starts.

26. Chicago (4-9-4-1): Goaltending, defense awful.

27. N.Y. Islanders (4-9-2-0): Can’t put offense, defense together.

28. Atlanta (3-10-2-1): Goals still tough to come by.

GAME OF THE WEEK

DALLAS STARS at PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

* When--Thursday. Time--4:30 PST. TV--ESPN2.

* Story line--The defending Stanley Cup champion Stars would miss the playoffs if the season ended today. Their defense hasn’t been great and their offense is languishing: with 38 goals, they rank last in the West and 25th overall. Center Joe Nieuwendyk, last season’s playoff most valuable player, has two goals and was demoted to a checking line. Jamie Langenbrunner (three goals) and Mike Modano (no goals in eight games) are also lagging. The Flyers are on a 6-1-1 run and have the NHL’s second-best power play, with a 27.8% success rate. Mark Recchi ranks third in scoring with 26 points.