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

1. SAN JOSE SHARKS [up from 11]
Record: 10-4-1 (21 pts)

Marleau and Thornton are both playing great.
2. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS [down from 1]
Record: 11-3-0 (22 pts)

Let's see how they deal with loss of Malkin.
3. COLORADO AVALANCHE [down from 2]
Record: 10-3-2 (22 pts)

Stumbled of late, but still a great start.
4. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS [down from 3]
Record: 8-4-1 (17 pts)

Have survived nicely without Toews.
5. WASHINGTON CAPITALS [unchanged]
Record: 8-2-4 (20 pts)

Loss of Ovechkin will be hard to overcome.

6. BUFFALO SABRES [up from 7]
Record: 8-2-1 (17 pts)

Were doing just fine until they got bombed by the Isles.
7. NEW JERSEY DEVILS [up from 9]
Record: 8-4-0 (16 pts)

Four wins short of setting road win record.
8. NEW YORK RANGERS [down from 6]
Record: 9-5-1 (19 pts)

Getting Gaborik back a big boost.
9. PHOENIX COYOTES [up from 19]
Record: 9-4-0 (18 pts)

Bryzgalov a big reason for their success.
10. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS [unchanged]
Record: 6-4-1 (13 pts)

Still think they will be fine.
11. LOS ANGELES KINGS [down from 8]
Record: 8-4-2 (18 pts)

Kopitar is the real deal.
12. VANCOUVER CANUCKS [up from 15]
Record: 8-7-0 (16 pts)

Can Raycroft carry the mail?
13. CALGARY FLAMES [down from 4]
Record: 7-4-1 (15 pts)

Still not firing on all cylinders.
14. DALLAS STARS [down from 13]
Record: 6-3-5 (17 pts)

James Neal has been fun to watch.
15. DETROIT RED WINGS [up from 21]
Record: 5-4-3 (13 pts)

Showed they can still score goals and tighten up when needed.
16. BOSTON BRUINS [up from 17]
Record: 6-6-1 (13 pts)

Still not all the way out of their funk.
17. OTTAWA SENATORS [down from 14]
Record: 6-4-2 (14 pts)

Lack of offence from Spezza hasn't helped.
18. MONTREAL CANADIENS [down from 12]
Record: 7-7-0 (14 pts)

Halak or Price?
19. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS [down from 18]
Record: 7-5-1 (15 pts)

Have to tighten up the defensive play.
20. EDMONTON OILERS [down from 16]
Record: 7-6-1 (15 pts)

The offence has been inconsistent.
21. NEW YORK ISLANDERS [up from 26]
Record: 4-4-5 (13 pts)

Hey, they won three straight and are .500.
22. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING [unchanged]
Record: 4-3-4 (12 pts)

If they could ever figure out the shootout.
23. NASHVILLE PREDATORS [up from 27]
Record: 6-6-1 (13 pts)

Arnott should be back soon.
24. ATLANTA THRASHERS [down from 23]
Record: 5-4-1 (11 pts)

Surviving loss of Kovalchuk will be difficult.
25. FLORIDA PANTHERS [up from 28]
Record: 4-7-1 (9 pts)

Finally starting to win some games, despite injuries.
26. ANAHEIM DUCKS [down from 24]
Record: 4-6-2 (10 pts)

Is Carlyle on the hot seat?
27. MINNESOTA WILD [up from 29]
Record: 5-9-0 (10 pts)

Starting to find their way.
28. ST. LOUIS BLUES [down from 20]
Record: 5-6-1 (11 pts)

Where has all the goal scoring gone?
29. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS [up from 30]
Record: 1-7-4 (6 pts)

Return of Kessel will help.
30. CAROLINA HURRICANES [down from 25]
Record: 2-8-3 (7 pts)

It can get worse. Now they've lost Staal.