NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record): Comment

1. Ottawa (10-4-1-1): Playing well without Yashin.

2. Toronto (10-4-2-0): Top goals-against mark (1.92):.

3. San Jose (11-6-1-0): Rookie defenseman Stuart shines.

4. Philadelphia (8-6-2-1): Recchi (25 points): leads NHL.

5. Boston (6-5-4-0): Andreychuk chucks 11 goals.

6. Kings (9-4-3-0): Test of character begins.

7. St. Louis (9-5-0-0): McLennan steps up as Turek slows.

8. Detroit (8-4-2-1): Fedorov (five goals): fired up.

9. New Jersey (7-5-2-1): Gomez top rookie scorer (15 points):.

10. Vancouver (8-4-2-1): Mogilny, Messier lead 4-2-1 push.

11. Colorado (7-6-2-1): Tanguay, Hejduk impressive.

12. Mighty Ducks (7-6-2-1): Look better in 3-1-1 surge.

13. Buffalo (6-7-2-0): Biron 4-1 since replacing Hasek.

14. Phoenix (8-4-3-0): Defense slips in 2 straight losses.

15. Carolina (6-5-3-0): Home is where the fans aren’t.

16. Dallas (7-7-1-0): Cup champs not in West’s top eight.

17. Florida (7-6-2-2): Bure (broken finger): out again.

18. Tampa Bay (5-7-1-1): Last 3 wins: Stars, Penguins, Wings.

19. Edmonton (4-7-3-2): Effort is there, offense isn’t.

20. N.Y. Rangers (5-8-3-0): Should win over Chicago count?

21. Washington (4-7-2-0): Won two of three but flailing.

22. Atlanta (3-7-2-1): Not being embarrassed.

23. Pittsburgh (2-7-3-1): Streak is 0-6-2 and counting.

24. Nashville (4-8-1-1): Goals scarce in 0-5 slump.

25. Calgary (4-9-2-0): Worst goals-against mark (3.58):.

26. Chicago (3-7-4-1): Can’t even beat Rangers.

27. N.Y. Islanders (3-7-2-0): Fewest goals in league (24):.

28. Montreal (3-11-1-1): Can’t score in 0-7-1 slide.

GAME OF THE WEEK

DETROIT RED WINGS at TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

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

* Story line--Two of the NHL’s top defensive teams meet in the renewal of a traditional rivalry. The Red Wings have been inconsistent recently, going 1-3-1 against opponents they should have beaten, including Chicago and Tampa Bay. But Chris Osgood has been exceptional, compiling a 1.82 goals-against average and .922 save percentage. Toronto center Mats Sundin has scored a goal in each of the three games he has played since returning from a broken ankle. Former King Yanic Perreault (three goals, 12 points): leads the Maple Leafs in scoring.