Top to Bottom : CAPSULES AND RANKINGS

Team (Record): 1. Colorado (45-19-9)

Comment: Four-game win streak ended by Flyers. It’s only a speed bump.

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Team (Record): 2. Dallas (44-23-6)

Comment: Stars shine in 6-0-2 streak, out scoring opponents, 31-16.

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Team (Record): 3. New Jersey (39-20-13)

Comment: Devils’ rally against Penguins keeps 10-2-1 surge going.

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Team (Record): 4. Philadephia (41-21-11)

Comment: Hextall silences critics for a while with shutout of Colorado.

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Team (Record): 5. Buffalo (38-23-11)

Comment: Sabres lose two of three while Hasek’s cracked rib heals.

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Team (Record): 6. Florida (33-24-17)

Comment: Mellanby-Washburn-Sheppard line has goals in seven in a row.

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Team (Record): 7. Detroit (34-23-15)

Comment: Vernon can’t stop a beach ball, Red Wings lose three of four.

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Team (Record): 8. Phoenix (35-34-5)

Comment: Tkachuk (seven goals in six games), Roenick (five in five) sizzle.

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Team (Record): 9. Ducks (31-31-11)

Comment: Big victory at Edmonton, but Selanne’s muscle strain is a scare.

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Team (Record): 10. N.Y. Rangers (35-30-9)

Comment: Bad losses to Ottawa and Montreal. Gretzky has five goals in six.

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Team (Record): 11. Edmonton (34-33-7)

Comment: Oilers can’t put streak together. They’re 5-5 in March.

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Team (Record): 12. Pittsburgh (34-32-7)

Comment: Jagr still out because of sore groin. Penguins 0-8-1 on the road.

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Team (Record): 13. Calgary (31-35-8)

Comment: Fleury (four goals in five) keeps Flames in West race.

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Team (Record): 14. Chicago (29-32-12)

Comment: Chris Chelios’ return from knee injury keeps playoff drive alive.

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Team (Record): 15. St. Louis (31-33-9)

Comment: Blues can’t put offense and defense together, lose two of three.

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Team (Record): 16. Montreal (27-33-14)

Comment: Erratic offense, but are 3-1-3 in their last seven.

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Team (Record): 17. Washington (29-36-8)

Comment: Big trade hasn’t helped Capitals’ playoff chances. Nothing will.

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Team (Record): 18. Hartford (27-35-10)

Comment: Losing five straight--two by shut out--won’t get them into playoffs.

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Team (Record): 19. Ottawa (24-33-15)

Comment: Senators (3-1-2) refuse to go quietly, but they will go.

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Team (Record): 20. Tampa Bay (28-37-7)

Comment: Goalies can’t finish last two games and Lightning loses five of six.

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Team (Record): 21. Vancouver (30-39-5)

Comment: Canucks can schedule tee times after disgraceful 2-7-2 skid.

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Team (Record): 22. N.Y. Islanders (25-36-11)

Comment: Victory over Florida and tie with Flyers nice, but too late.

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Team (Record): 23. Kings (26-38-10)

Comment: Which comes first, new arena or a playoff spot? Neither this year.

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Team (Record): 24. Toronto (26-41-6)

Comment: Maple Leafs abandon ship, allowing 40-plus shots in six in a row.

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Team (Record): 25. Boston (24-41-9)

Comment: Jim Carey can’t carry the Bourque-less and lifeless Bruins.

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Team (Record): 26. San Jose (24-42-7)

Comment: Elimination beckons for Sharks, who have lost nine of 11.

GAME OF THE WEEK

PHILADELPHIA AT NEW JERSEY

* When--Wednesday. Time--4:30 p.m. TV--ESPN2.

* Storyline--The two most successful teams in the East continue to jockey for the top playoff seeding. The Flyers defeated Colorado on Sunday, despite the absence of Eric Lindros, who had a strained tendon and bruised right foot. He’s questionable for this game. The Devils are 10-2-1 in their last 13, and center Doug Gilmour has six goals and 15 points in 10 games since the Devils acquired him from Toronto. The Devils have better defense and goaltending, but the Flyers are more explosive offensively. John LeClair is tied with the Ducks’ Teemu Selanne for the league goal-scoring lead at 47.