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CAPSULES AND RANKINGS

(Team (Record): Comment)

1. New Jersey (14-5-0): Won six in a row, nine of 10.

2. St. Louis (15-5-2): Big wins over Dallas, Detroit.

3. Montreal (14-5-2): Like old times: ten wins in 12.

4. Philadelphia (13-6-3): Good balance in 6-1-2 run.

5. Dallas (12-6-4): Resilient in 3-1-2 surge.

6. Washington (12-7-2): Slide ends with three wins.

7. Colorado (10-5-6): Lost two after beating Wings, Flyers.

8. Detroit (13-5-4): Idling in 2-2-1 stretch.

9. Phoenix (10-8-2): Wins in four of last five.

10. Kings (9-8-4): Will they fade after 20 again?

11. Boston (11-7-3): Goals scarce in 1-2-2 streak.

12. Carolina (8-10-3): Five wins in last seven.

13. N.Y. Rangers (6-7-7): Signs of life in 3-1-1 run.

14. Pittsburgh (9-9-4): They miss Lemieux. A lot.

15. Ottawa (9-9-4): Coming close, but still losing.

16. Mighty Ducks (8-8-5): Selanne can’t do it solo.

17. N.Y. Islanders (8-8-4): Inconsistent in 1-3-1 slump.

18. Florida (6-9-4): Respectable 3-1-1 push.

19. Chicago (7-12-2): Slipping in 0-2-2 skid.

20. Toronto (6-10-3): Blanked by Penguins.

21. Vancouver (5-13-3): A 2-0-1 streak and Keenan too.

22. Buffalo (5-10-4): Falling just short in 0-3-2 streak.

23. San Jose (6-14-1): Offense flags in losing three.

24. Edmonton (5-11-5): Too much talent for 0-5-4 slump.

25. Calgary (3-13-5): Can’t light Flames’ fire.

26. Tampa Bay (2-16-2): Playoff elimination soon.

GAME OF THE WEEK

DALLAS at DETROIT

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

* Storyline--The Stars rebounded from an embarrassing loss to St. Louis by defeating the Kings and Ducks, scoring four power-play goals and three short-handed goals in two games. Center Mike Modano (10 goals, 27 points) ranks among the NHL scoring leaders and is tops in short-handed goals, with three. The Red Wings were 13-4-3 in their first 20 games but they lost key tests against Colorado and St. Louis. Without Mike Vernon to push him, goalie Chris Osgood seems to have lost his edge.