TIMES’ RANKINGS
Team (Record): Comment
1. Phoenix (8-2-2): Hotter than Arizona summer: 6-0-2.
2. Buffalo (7-3-4): Outscored foes, 26-11, in 5-0-3 streak.
3. Dallas (9-3-2): Golden Brett gets 1,000th point.
4. Toronto (9-6-2): Jest of West becomes beast of East.
5. Edmonton (9-6-1): Guerin (12 goals) likes run-and-gun.
6. St. Louis (7-4-4): Offense stirs in 4-1-3 surge.
7. Pittsburgh (7-4-4): Barnes scores three in last two.
8. New Jersey (9-6-0): Balanced scoring in 6-2 push.
9. Vancouver (8-7-1): Keenan one victory from 500.
10. Detroit (8-8-0): Still not firing on all cylinders.
11. N.Y. Islanders (8-9-0): Consistently inconsistent.
12. Philadelphia (6-6-4): Win over Devils ends 0-5-2 slump.
13. Florida (6-6-3): Rookie Parrish (eight goals) a find.
14. Boston (6-7-4): McLaren’s signing boosts defense.
15. Mighty Ducks (6-6-4): Hanging in without Teemu.
16. Carolina (7-7-3): Playing Kings cured losing streak.
17. Nashville (6-8-1): Commendable 3-3 on first long trip.
18. Colorado (6-8-2): Signs of life in 3-1-1 stretch.
19. Washington (5-7-3): Busy Bs: Bondra, Black, Bellows hot.
20. Calgary (7-8-2): Goaltending not settled.
21. Ottawa (6-6-3): Offense dries up in 0-3-3 skid.
22. Montreal (6-8-2): Scored once in three-game losing streak.
23. San Jose (3-7-4): Friesen fuels 3-1-2 push.
24. N.Y. Rangers (4-7-5): Offense vanishes after one big game.
25. Tampa Bay (6-9-2): Outscored, 22-4, in losing last three.
26. Kings (5-10-3): No power play, no defense, no luck.
27. Chicago (4-10-3): Will trade end winless streak?
GAME OF THE WEEK
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS at PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
When--Today. Time--4:30 p.m., PDT. TV--ESPN.
* Story line--The Flyers ended an 0-5-2 slump Friday by routing the Devils, 6-1. Right wing Keith Jones, acquired last week from Colorado for grinder Shjon Podein, scored in his Flyer debut. Ron Hextall was the winning goaltender; John Vanbiesbrouck is 0-3-2 since Oct. 27. The Penguins share the Atlantic Division lead with New Jersey, which is surprising because of their financial and injury problems. Goalie Tom Barrasso, who had a pulled groin muscle, played his first full game Saturday since Oct. 14. He earned an assist in the Penguins’ 4-0 victory over Florida and tied Grant Fuhr for most points by a goaltender, 46. Flyer center Eric Lindros, with 11 goals and 21 points, is tied for second in scoring with Penguin right wing Jaromir Jagr, who has five goals and 21 points.