NHL TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record): Comment

1. St. Louis (51-20-11-1): Now comes the real test.

2. Philadelphia (45-25-12-3): Pressure is on rookie Boucher.

3. Colorado (42-29-11-1): Impressive in final 8-0 streak.

4. Washington (44-26-12-2): Comeback kids’ saga continues.

5. Detroit (48-24-10-2): Shanahan gets new deal, 41 goals.

6. Dallas (43-29-10-6): Stars limping but game.

7. Toronto (45-30-7-3): Open style not made for playoffs.

8. New Jersey (45-29-8-5): Another first-round loss in store?

9. Kings (39-31-12-4): Seeking first playoff win since ’93.

10. Ottawa (41-30-11-2): Late slide cause for concern.

11. Buffalo (35-36-11-4): ’99 East champs make playoffs on last day.

12. Florida (43-33-6-6): Bure (58 goals) alone in 50-goal club.

13. Phoenix (39-35-8-4): Time for another playoff choke.

14. Pittsburgh (37-37-8-6): Jagr needs strong back to carry team.

15. Edmonton (32-34-16-8): Goalie Salo makes Oilers dark horse.

16. San Jose (35-37-10-7): No spark, consistency in last months.

17. Montreal (35-38-9-4): Gutsy, but decimated by injuries.

18. Carolina (37-35-10-0): Best team nobody watches.

19. Vancouver (30-37-15-8): Nice run at end falls short.

20. Mighty Ducks (34-36-12-3): Need a little depth, a lot of heart.

21. Chicago (33-39-10-2): Good second half, but too late.

22. Calgary (31-41-10-5): Small-market finances a big problem.

23. Nashville (28-47-7-7): Progress is slow but steady.

24. Boston (24-39-19-6): Burns misses playoffs for first time.

25. N.Y. Rangers (29-41-12-3): Poster children for spending excess.

26. N.Y. Islanders (24-49-9-1): If this isn’t rock-bottom, it’s close.

27. Tampa Bay (19-54-9-7): Goalie is top off-season priority.

28. Atlanta (14-61-7-4): First season is the toughest.