NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record): Comment

1. St. Louis (48-17-10-0): Latest run reaches 14-2-4.

2. Washington (41-23-11-1): New beasts of the East.

3. Detroit (46-22-9-2): Fine-tuning in 10-2-3 push.

4. Dallas (41-26-8-5): Offense can get stronger.

5. Philadelphia (40-23-12-3): Getting along without Lindros.

6. Florida (40-30-5-5): Bure revives, so do Panthers.

7. New Jersey (42-26-8-5): Robinson soothing bruised egos.

8. Colorado (37-29-11-1): Sakic (16 goals in 13 games) shines.

9. Kings (36-30-10-4): Playoff return almost sure.

10. Ottawa (37-26-11-2): McEachern (broken thumb) a big loss.

11. Toronto (41-27-7-3): Defense spotty in 2-4 skid.

12. Buffalo (32-34-10-3): With Hasek, anything is possible.

13. Vancouver (28-34-14-8): Clutch wins in 5-1 surge.

14. San Jose (32-35-9-7): Inconsistent offense a weak spot.

15. Carolina (32-34-10-0): Staying close to East pack.

16. Pittsburgh (32-35-8-6): Defense could be much tighter.

17. Mighty Ducks (32-33-12-2): Making up lost ground.

18. Edmonton (29-31-16-8): Goalie Salo keeps them alive.

19. Montreal (32-35-9-3): Hearts bigger than talent pool.

20. Boston (23-34-18-6): Playing out sad string.

21. Phoenix (35-33-7-3): March meltdown in progress.

22. Calgary (30-37-9-5): Running out of time, but not hope.

23. Chicago (29-38-9-2): Playing well, but under no pressure.

24. N.Y. Rangers (29-38-11-3): Fleury and pals a $61-million folly.

25. Nashville (26-43-7-7): Looking toward next season.

26. N.Y. Islanders (22-46-8-1): Kids provide reason for optimism.

27. Tampa Bay (17-49-8-7): Season ended in December.

28. Atlanta (13-54-7-4): Good argument against more expansion.

GAME OF THE WEEK

PITTSBURGH AT WASHINGTON

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

* Story line--The Penguins are trying to keep an Eastern Conference playoff spot, and the Capitals are trying to overtake top-seeded New Jersey. NHL scoring leader Jaromir Jagr suffered a bruised upper back when he was hit from behind by Philadelphia’s Dan McGillis Sunday--he’s lucky it wasn’t worse. His status is day to day. The Penguins’ 3-1 loss to the Flyers left them seventh in the East, two points ahead of Montreal. The Capitals are 29-8-6 since Dec. 27 and haven’t given up more than three goals in a game since Feb. 19. Chris Simon, no longer limited to being an enforcer, has a career-high 28 goals and goalie Olaf Kolzig ranks among the leaders in wins (38), shutouts (five) and save percentage (.918).