Each week, Hockey Night in Canada's Scott Morrison breaks down the balance of power in the National Hockey League.

1. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS [unchanged]
Record: 9-2-0 (18 pts)

Will miss Gonchar, but will still be strong.
2. COLORADO AVALANCHE [up from 4]
Record: 9-1-2 (20 pts)

Amazing what great goaltending can do.
3. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS [up from 6]
Record: 7-3-1 (15 pts)

Winning despite Toews being injured.
4. CALGARY FLAMES [up from 8]
Record: 7-2-1 (15 pts)

Imagine how good they'll be when they fix the defensive play.
5. WASHINGTON CAPITALS [up from 6]
Record: 7-2-2 (16 pts)

Winning without Ovechkin putting up big numbers of late.
6. NEW YORK RANGERS [down from 2]
Record: 8-3-1 (17 pts)

If Gaborik is hurt, they will fall.

7. BUFFALO SABRES [up from 9]
Record: 6-1-1 (13 pts)

Miller has been outstanding.
8. LOS ANGELES KINGS [up from 17]
Record: 8-4-0 (16 pts)

Anze Kopitar leading the league in scoring.
9. NEW JERSEY DEVILS [up from 18]
Record: 6-3-0 (12 pts)

Injuries starting to add up.
10. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS [unchanged]
Record: 5-4-1 (11 pts)

Better than their record indicates.
11. SAN JOSE SHARKS [unchanged]
Record: 7-4-1 (15 pts)

Need to tighten up defensively.
12. MONTREAL CANADIENS [up from 26]
Record: 6-5-0 (12 pts)

Not beating the upper echelon but getting it done.
13. DALLAS STARS [unchanged]
Record: 5-2-4 (14 pts)

Need to be better at home.
14. OTTAWA SENATORS [down from 7]
Record: 5-2-2 (12 pts)

Better, but still a ways to go.
15. VANCOUVER CANUCKS [up from 21]
Record: 6-6-0 (12 pts)

Luongo has found his form.
16. EDMONTON OILERS [down from 15]
Record: 6-5-1 (13 pts)

If only they could beat the Flames.
17. BOSTON BRUINS [up from 19]
Record: 5-4-1 (11 pts)

Need to be better in their end.
18. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS [down from 5]
Record: 6-4-0 (12 pts)

Giving up far too many goals for Hitchcock's liking.
19. PHOENIX COYOTES [down from 12]
Record: 6-4-0 (12 pts)

Have started to stumble a wee bit.
20. ST. LOUIS BLUES [unchanged]
Record: 4-4-1 (9 pts)

Forgot what made them good last year.
21. DETROIT RED WINGS [down from 16]
Record: 2-2-0 (4 pts)

Can't win on the road all of a sudden.
22. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING [up from 24]
Record: 3-3-3 (9 pts)

Have to get Lecavalier going.
23. ATLANTA THRASHERS [down from 13]
Record: 4-3-1 (9 pts)

Losing Kovalchuk could be devastating.
24. ANAHEIM DUCKS [down from 22]
Record: 3-6-1 (7 pts)

Have been brutal at the Pond.
25. CAROLINA HURRICANES [down from 23]
Record: 2-5-3 (7 pts)

A shake up could be on the way.
26. NEW YORK ISLANDERS [up from 28]
Record: 1-4-5 (7 pts)

At least Tavares is fun to watch.
27. NASHVILLE PREDATORS [unchanged]
Record: 3-6-1 (7 pts)

Don't have any firepower.
28. FLORIDA PANTHERS [down from 25]
Record: 2-6-1 (5 pts)

Their depth is being severely tested.
29. MINNESOTA WILD [unchanged]
Record: 3-8-0 (6 pts)

Best players are also minus players.
30. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS [unchanged]
Record: 1-7-1 (3 pts)

One win isn't enough to escape the basement.