Top 10 : CAPSULES AND RANKINGS

Team (Record): 1. Colorado (26-10-8)

Comment: Adam Deadmarsh and Keith Jones have stepped up while Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic recover from leg injuries. Goalie Patrick Roy ain’t bad either.

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Team (Record): 2. Philadelphia (26-13-5)

Comment: Eric Lindros makes a case for MVP, as the Flyers go on a 14-1-4 spree.

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Team (Record): 3. Pittsburgh (23-15-5)

Comment: Goalie Patrick Lalime (11-0-2) continues to shine. Thanks to the NHL’s most productive offense, 10 of his 11 victories have been by at least two goals.

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Team (Record): 4. Florida (22-11-9)

Comment: The Panthers have won two of three to end an 0-2-2 slump.

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Team (Record): 5. Dallas (25-16-3)

Comment: Two victories over the Red Wings in six days show the Stars can play with the big boys.

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Team (Record): 6. New York (23-19-6)

Comment: Loss to the Islanders on Monday left them 4-12-4 in Atlantic Division games.

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Team (Record): 7. Detroit (21-15-7)

Comment: The Red Wings slipped to second in team defense during a 1-4-1 slump and giving up 18 goals in their last four games.

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Team (Record): 8. Buffalo (22-17-5)

Comment: An overtime victory at Phoenix on Sunday stopped the Sabres’ three-game winless streak, which matched their longest of the season.

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Team (Record): 9. Edmonton (20-21-4)

Comment: The Oilers have won five of seven, despite having lost center Jason Arnott because of a broken ankle.

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Team (Record): 10. Washington (19-20-5)

Comment: Despite losing defenseman Mark Tinordi because of a broken ankle, Capitals have a 4-0-2 streak going.

GAME OF THE WEEK

DALLAS at PITTSBURGH

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

* Storyline--One of the NHL’s most improved teams meets one of the hottest in this matchup of division leaders. The Stars, who lead the Central Division, had 49 points at the halfway mark, up from 32 last season. They have struggled offensively lately but have stayed ahead of the Detroit Red Wings. The Penguins, first in the Northeast, are 9-0-2 since Dec. 19 and have lost only twice in their last 23. Mario Lemieux has 33 points--14 goals, 19 assists--in a 12-game scoring streak.