THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

Oct. 30

LONNIE WHITE’S NHL RANKINGS AND COMMENTS:

1 New York Islanders

(8-0-1-1) Parrish has scored 7 of his 10 goals in the third period.

2 Detroit Red Wings

(9-2-0-0) Shanahan is playing as if he has something to prove.

3 Calgary Flames

(8-2-0-2) Iginla’s scoring and Turek’s play in goal reasons for fast start.

4 Colorado Avalanche

(7-5-0-0) Finally starting to get more production from young players

5 New Jersey Devils

(4-3-0-1) Robinson’s team is too talented and deep to keep losing.

6 Philadelphia Flyers

(4-3-3-0) Roenick fitting in well with team’s deep group of forwards.

7 Dallas Stars

(4-4-2-2) Is there any doubt this is Hitchcock’s team?

8 Toronto Maple Leafs

(6-3-1-1) CuJo is starting to get hot with two consecutive shutouts.

9Edmonton Oilers

(8-4-1-0) Salo and scoring balance reasons for team’s early success.

10 Carolina Hurricanes

(6-4-0-2) Francis keeps on scoring, his team keeps winning.

11 Washington Capitals

(5-5-1-0) Defense is starting to come together in front of Kolzig.

12 San Jose Sharks

(4-3-3-1)Offense has to come around, or look for changes.

13St. Louis Blues

(4-3-3-0) Team needs more than Weight to provide offense every night.

14 Chicago Blackhawks

(6-3-3-0) Fans will take notice if team continues to win.

15 Boston Bruins

(5-3-3-1) Stumpel and Murray add more depth to a hungry team.

16 New York Rangers

(6-5-1-0) Not getting much production from off-season acquisitions.

17 Buffalo Sabres

(5-5-1-1) Ruff one of the most underrated coaches in the league.

18 Minnesota Wild

(3-2-3-1) If power play keeps scoring goals, team will stay in the hunt.

19Phoenix Coyotes

(4-3-2-1) Gretzky’s rebuilding project seems to be ahead of schedule.

20Montreal Canadiens

(5-4-1-0) Depth will be tested as team deals with injuries.

21 Ottawa Senators

(5-6-1-0) Needto start winning games at home to return to playoffs.

22 Tampa Bay Lightning

(4-5-1-0) St. Louis is starting to get respect for his all-around game.

23 Mighty Ducks

(4-6-1-0) Murray has players playing hard but needs Kariya’s scoring.

24 Kings

(3-6-1-2) Better team than record indicates but have to start winning.

25 Pittsburgh Penguins

(4-5-1-1) Losing Lemieux and Straka will be hard to overcome.

26 Atlanta Thrashers

(3-3-1-2) A .500 team that has allowed five more goals than it has scored.

27 Florida Panthers

(2-6-2-1) Luongo starting to play up to his potential in goal.

28 Nashville Predators

(3-6-2-0) Need more offense than Legwand and Orszagh.

29 Vancouver Canucks

(3-8-1-0) Morrison is off to a tremendous start with 14 points.

30 Columbus Blue Jackets

(1-6-4-0) Not much to say about the worst defensive team in league.