THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

Lonnie White’s NHL rankings and comments:

TEAM (Record)COMMENT

1 DETROIT

(26-8-2-1) Bowman making the most of ample talent.

2 TORONTO

(21-9-3-3) Mogilny has five goals, 13 assists in last 11 games.

3 COLORADO

(21-13-4-0) Forsberg has not ruled out playing in the Olympics.

4 CHICAGO

(19-12-8-0) Coming off an impressive home victory over Edmonton.

5 EDMONTON

(19-12-5-2) Smyth is a step closer to returning to the lineup.

6 SAN JOSE

(18-8-6-3) Ricci’s line getting job done for Pacific Division leaders.

7 N.Y. RANGERS

(20-14-3-2) Getting Lindros back provided a huge lift.

8 BOSTON

(18-10-3-4) Rolston’s career season gets better with each goal.

9 N.Y. ISLANDERS

(18-10-5-2) Bates’ return has sparked the offense.

10 PHILADELPHIA

(18-10-5-1) Flyers undefeated since adding tough-guy Brashear.

11 CAROLINA

(17-13-4-5) Rookie Cole’s scoring could fill a major offensive void.

12 DALLAS

(16-11-6-3) Stars missed Sydor, sidelined with concussion.

13 CALGARY

(16-11-7-2) Berube is season-leader in suspensions.

14 ST. LOUIS

(16-10-6-3)Quenneville always has his team in the thick of things.

15 OTTAWA

(18-13-4-0) Christmas break welcome after two tough losses.

16 NEW JERSEY

(14-13-5-2) Still giving up more goals than Devils have scored.

17 MONTREAL

(16-14-5-1) Perreault is the type of scorer many teams need.

18 KINGS

(14-15-5-2) Special teams have emerged as a strength.

19 PHOENIX

(14-14-5-3) Didn’t play well in consecutive losses to Ducks.

20 PITTSBURGH

(14-15-5-2) Good news: Straka hoping to return to lineup in February.

21 MINNESOTA

(13-14-5-3) Needs more offense than just Gaborik and Brunette.

22 WASHINGTON

(14-16-6-0) Emotional return to Pittsburgh for Jagr.

23 MIGHTY DUCKS

(12-19-4-3) Anaheim has one of hottest goalies in Giguere.

24 TAMPA BAY

(14-16-3-1) Modin playing hurt and still scoring big goals.

25 FLORIDA

(10-19-2-3) Keenan discovering wins hard to come by without talent.

26 BUFFALO

(14-19-3-1) Sabres played Toronto tough twice.

27 VANCOUVER

(14-21-4-0) Crawford can’t be pleased with team’s sorry play.

28 NASHVILLE

(13-15-6-0) Smart move, giving Trotz a contract extension.

29 COLUMBUS

(9-21-5-1 Blue Jackets 1-19-3 when scoring two goals or fewer.

30 ATLANTA

(7-22-4-3) Bad times for Ferraro, recently benched by Fraser.