THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

*--* Rk Team (Rec.) Comment 1 DETROIT (31-15-8-2) Streaky Hull scores in last two games before break, hits 20 for 17th time. 2 COLORADO (30-11-9-4) At least a point in 18 of last 19 games and 21 of 23. 3 TORONTO (30-14-8-3) Can’t let down after beating Ottawa twice. Defense seems weary. 4 PHILADELPHIA (28-12-11-5) Will Burke solve Flyers’ goaltending woes or add to problem? 5 VANCOUVER (31-15-7-3) Sedin twins gaining confidence -- each has nine goals. 6 DALLAS (27-20-9-0) Turco records two shutouts in Stars’ 6-0-1 streak. They’re baaaack. 7 BOSTON (27-14-11-4) Bergeron third in rookie scoring with 30 points. Mature and impressive. 8 SAN JOSE (26-13-11-5) Team goals-against average of 1.97 second only to Devils’ 1.85. 9 TAMPA BAY (28-17-6-3) Lightning hasn’t given up more than two goals in last eight (7-1). 10 NEW JERSEY (28-14-10-1) Stevens (concussion) out indefinitely. Devils miss him. 11 KINGS (21-15-13-5) Persistence carries them in 4-0-2 streak. Frolov is a gem. 12 MONTREAL (28-20-6-2) Won four of last five. Theodore (2.08, .926) in 2002 MVP form. 13 N.Y. ISLANDERS (26-21-5-2) Workhorse defenseman Aucoin third in plus/minus (+24). 14 OTTAWA (28-15-7-4) Gave up five goals three times in last five games. Are Senators mentally tough? 15 NASHVILLE (26-20-6-2) Lost last two and can’t afford to stumble again in tight West. 16 CALGARY (26-20-5-3) Kiprusoff (knee) not too far from returning, and none too soon. 17 ST. LOUIS (26-20-7-1) Defense had meltdown, offense snoozed in 0-7-1 slide. 18 BUFFALO (23-26-5-1) Sabres win five of seven but need seven points to catch top eight. 19 MINNESOTA (19-20-15-2) Roloson eclipses Fernandez to end two-goalie system. 20 EDMONTON (22-24-8-1) Won three of last four, last two with Conklin replacing tired Salo. 21 PHOENIX (18-19-14-3) Adrift and 0-4-1-1 while Burke trade rumors heated up. 22 N.Y. RANGERS (20-24-7-4) Imagine what Sather could do if he had a big budget. Oh -- he does. 23 MIGHTY DUCKS (17-23-8-7) Sure, Prospal finds net now, after going 0 for 17 when it mattered. 24 ATLANTA (21-27-6-2) Hartley’s lessons on defense forgotten in 0-6-2 streak. 25 WASHINGTON (17-31-5-2) Can drive tough bargains if Capitals deal Kolzig and Lang. 26 FLORIDA (18-23-11-3) Dudley was smart to keep GM job but give up coaching. 27 CHICAGO (14-29-7-5) Zhamnov ready to exit, but his big-dollar contract is a drawback. 28 CAROLINA (17-26-10-2) Inching toward point where Hurricanes will trade some assets. 29 COLUMBUS (15-28-8-3) Nash below 50-goal pace after blanked in last four before break. 30 PITTSBURGH (11-36-5-3) Outscored, 49-24, in losing 11 in a row. What, no mercy rule?

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