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 2]
Record: 16-5-4 (36 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-1-3

Marleau, Thornton and Heatley are on fire.
2. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS [up from 7]
Record: 15-5-2 (32 pts)
Last 10 games: 8-1-1

Unbeaten since Toews returned.
3. NEW JERSEY DEVILS [down from 1]
Record: 14-6-1 (29 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-2-1

Have stumbled lately but still strong.
4. WASHINGTON CAPITALS [unchanged]
Record: 13-5-5 (31 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-3-2

Not happy with past two efforts.
5. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS [up from 6]
Record: 15-8-0 (30 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-6-0

Injuries on the blue-line have been crippling.
6. CALGARY FLAMES [down from 3]
Record: 13-6-2 (28 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-3-1

Iginla has found his stride.
7. DETROIT RED WINGS [up from 9]
Record: 11-6-4 (26 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-2-1

Loss of Kronwall for a month will hurt.
8. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS [unchanged]
Record: 12-7-1 (25 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-3-0

Have to be better on the road.
9. BUFFALO SABRES [down from 5]
Record: 12-6-2 (26 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-5-1

Miller gives them a chance to win every night.
10. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS [up from 17]
Record: 12-6-3 (27 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-1-3

Detroit blowout was a wake-up call.
11. LOS ANGELES KINGS [down from 10]
Record: 13-9-2 (28 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-5-0

Loss of Smyth hurts the big line.
12. OTTAWA SENATORS [up from 22]
Record: 11-6-3 (25 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

Starting to play really well.
13. COLORADO AVALANCHE [up from 15]
Record: 13-7-3 (29 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-6-1

Starting to fall like a rock.
14. NASHVILLE PREDATORS [up from 19]
Record: 12-8-1 (25 pts)
Last 10 games: 8-2-0

Won five in a row.
15. PHOENIX COYOTES [down from 14]
Record: 13-9-1 (27 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-5-1

Hanging in the race.
16. VANCOUVER CANUCKS [unchanged]
Record: 12-11-0 (24 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-5-0

Two Sedins are better than one.
17. BOSTON BRUINS [up from 20]
Record: 10-8-4 (24 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-3-3

Return of Savard will help sagging attack.
18. FLORIDA PANTHERS [up from 24]
Record: 10-9-2 (22 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-2-1

Banged up but playing well.
19. DALLAS STARS [down from 18]
Record: 10-6-6 (26 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-4-2

Richards making an Olympic bid.
20. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING [up from 21]
Record: 9-5-7 (25 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-2-3

No longer a laughing stock.
21. NEW YORK RANGERS [down from 11]
Record: 11-10-1 (23 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-7-0

Where has the offence gone?
22. MONTREAL CANADIENS [up from 23]
Record: 11-11-1 (23 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

Price is playing great.
23. NEW YORK ISLANDERS [down from 13]
Record: 8-8-7 (23 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-4-2

Staying close to .500 is an improvement.
24. ATLANTA THRASHERS [down from 12]
Record: 10-7-3 (23 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-3-2

Kovalchuk doing it all, including fighting.
25. EDMONTON OILERS [up from 26]
Record: 9-11-3 (21 pts)
Last 10 games: 2-6-2

Quinn not pleased with the effort.
26. ST. LOUIS BLUES [up from 28]
Record: 8-8-4 (20 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-5-1

Starting to show improvement.
27. MINNESOTA WILD [down from 25]
Record: 8-12-2 (18 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-3-2

Need to get some offence from Havlat.
28. ANAHEIM DUCKS [up from 29]
Record: 7-11-3 (17 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-5-2

Played well in weekend loss to the Sharks.
29. CAROLINA HURRICANES [up from 30]
Record: 5-12-5 (15 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-5-2

Staal could be back in a week.
30. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS [down from 27]
Record: 4-11-6 (14 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-5-2

Played hard against the Caps, Toskala has been good.