NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

1. Colorado (13-2-3-0) Showing no signs of weakness.

2. St. Louis (11-2-3-0) Young early MVP candidate.

3. Phoenix (10-3-5-0) Streaking despite distractions.

4. San Jose (10-3-2-0) Sharks 8-1-2 in last 11.

5. Detroit (10-5-1-1) Overshadowed by Blues in Central.

6. Edmonton (10-8-2-0) Weight carrying Oilers.

7. Ottawa (9-4-4-0) Someone has to be Beast of East.

8. Kings (9-6-4-0) But are they for real?

9. Pittsburgh (9-5-2-1) Jagr and Hlinka clash.

10. Vancouver (8-5-3-1) Sedin twins good as expected.

11. Toronto (9-6-2-0) Maple Leafs uninspiring so far.

12. Dallas (8-4-2-1) It’s starting to heat up in Texas.

13. Buffalo (9-4-1-1) Hasek getting hot.

14. Nashville (6-4-5-1) Speed giving opponents trouble.

15. N.Y. Rangers (8-8-0-0) Fleury showing the way.

16. Philadelphia (6-7-4-0) Missing LeClair and Lindros.

17. Ducks (6-8-3-2) No hot water in showers a bad omen.

18. N.Y. Islanders (6-6-2-1) No stars, but .500 record.

19. New Jersey (6-7-3-0) Winless in six and feeling heat.

20. Carolina (5-8-3-0) Somebody has to lead Southeast.

21. Boston (6-8-2-1) Will Carter be traded soon?

22. Chicago (5-9-1-2) Sullivan giving Blackhawks depth.

23. Calgary (5-9-3-2) Strong trip, but going nowhere.

24. Tampa Bay (5-8-1-1) Is Lightning still in the league?

25. Montreal (5-10-2-0) Remember when Habs were great?

26. Columbus (5-10-1-1) Victory over Phoenix best yet.

27. Minnesota (4-10-3-1) Rookie Gaborik impressive.

28. Washington (3-8-5-1) Capitals can’t get it together.

29. Atlanta (3-5-6-0) Expansion is painful.

30. Florida (1-7-4-3) They stink.

Game of the Week

COLORADO at KINGS

When--Saturday. Time--1 p.m.

TV--Fox Sports Net 2.

* Story line--Now here’s a real test for the Kings, who began the week on a 4-0-2 roll. Colorado defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime on Monday. The Avalanche figures to roll over the Mighty Ducks on Wednesday and Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday, which means it will probably roll into Staples Center leading the NHL with 33 points. This game will answer several critical questions for the Kings, including whether their goaltending is strong enough to keep them among the league leaders. Jamie Storr has been adequate so far, but conventional wisdom suggests the Kings will need more than adequate as the season progresses.