Top 10 : CAPSULES AND RANKINGS

Team (Record): 1. Philadelphia (25-12-4)

Comment: The Flyers are 13-0-3 in their last 16 games, and Eric Lindros has a 16-game scoring streak. Anyone see a coincidence?

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Team (Record): 2. Colorado (24-10-7)

Comment: Despite the absence of injured Peter Forsberg, the Avalanche has a 5-0-1 streak. Watch your back--Claude Lemieux has returned after abdominal surgery.

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Team (Record): 3. Pittsburgh (21-15-4)

Comment: The Penguins lose Tom Barrasso to shoulder surgery and Ken Wregget to a groin pull but haven’t lost in eight games (7-0-1). They’re 15-2-3 since Nov. 22.

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Team (Record): 4. N.Y. Rangers (22-16-6)

Comment: They’re 9-2 in the last three weeks. Goalie Mike Richter (14-0-2) has rediscovered his World Cup MVP form.

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Team (Record): 5. Florida (21-10-9)

Comment: Victories aren’t coming easily, but the Panthers are plucky. Rob Niedermayer’s return from a knee injury will restore stability.

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Team (Record): 6. Buffalo (21-15-4)

Comment: The Sabres shouldn’t be challenging Pittsburgh in the Northeast but no one told them that. They’re on a 7-1-2 surge.

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Team (Record): 7. Detroit (20-13-7)

Comment: Sergei Fedorov has reclaimed his place among the game’s best, but why play Mike Vernon unless you’re showcasing him?

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Team (Record): 8. Dallas (23-15-3)

Comment: The Stars miss sore-kneed goalie Andy Moog but got a key victory at Detroit. Their offense is still struggling though.

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Team (Record): 9. Edmonton (18-19-4)

Comment: Losing Jason Arnott to a broken ankle will hurt, but the Oilers finally have the depth to compensate and have won four of five.

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Team (Record): 10. Phoenix (18-19-4)

Comment: The Coyotes keep sniffing around .500 but can’t quite get past it. Cliff Ronning’s return has been a spark.

GAME OF THE WEEK

COLORADO at NEW JERSEY

* When: Wednesday. Time: 4:30 p.m. TV: None.

* Storyline: The last two Stanley Cup champions meet in what promises to be an exhibition of goaltending and defense. The teams rank in the top seven in goals-against average, and Colorado’s Patrick Roy (20 wins, five shutouts) and New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur (17 wins, four shutouts) rank among the individual leaders. The Avalanche has much more firepower, but its depth will be tested by leg injuries incurred by Peter Forsberg a few weeks ago and on Saturday by Joe Sakic. Both will sit out for several weeks. Colorado won the team’s previous meeting this season, 2-1, Nov. 30 at Denver.