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 3]
Record: 27-8-7 (61 pts)
Last 10 games: 8-1-1

Just slightly hotter than the Blackhawks.
2. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS [down from 1]
Record: 29-10-3 (61 pts)
Last 10 games: 8-2-0

Keeping pace with the Sharks.
3. NEW JERSEY DEVILS [up from 4]
Record: 29-10-1 (59 pts)
Last 10 games: 8-2-0

Tied for league lead in wins.
4. BUFFALO SABRES [up from 6]
Record: 26-11-4 (56 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-2-2

Miller continues to play well.
5. COLORADO AVALANCHE [up from 9]
Record: 24-13-6 (54 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-3-0

Sacco for coach of the year?
6. CALGARY FLAMES [up from 13]
Record: 24-12-5 (53 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

Out of their funk.
7. NASHVILLE PREDATORS [up from 12]
Record: 25-14-3 (53 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-3-0

Imagine if they had a decent start to the season.
8. VANCOUVER CANUCKS [down from 7]
Record: 25-16-1 (51 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-2-1

Have a brutal schedule ahead.
9. WASHINGTON CAPITALS [down from 2]
Record: 24-11-6 (54 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-5-0

Struggled over the past week.
10. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS [down from 5]
Record: 25-16-1 (53 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-6-0

Malkin has gone cold.
11. PHOENIX COYOTES [down from 10]
Record: 25-14-4 (54 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-2-2

Big test Monday against the Sharks.
12. BOSTON BRUINS [down from 8]
Record: 21-12-7 (49 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-3-2

Outdoor game was a classic.
13. LOS ANGELES KINGS [down from 11]
Record: 24-15-3 (51 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-5-0

Big test against the Sharks.
14. DETROIT RED WINGS [unchanged]
Record: 21-14-6 (48 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-3-1

Battling through the injuries.
15. OTTAWA SENATORS [up from 16]
Record: 22-16-4 (48 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-4-0

Kovalev finally lights it up.
16. MONTREAL CANADIENS [down from 15]
Record: 21-20-3 (45 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-4-0

Who to start in goal?
17. NEW YORK RANGERS [up from 21]
Record: 19-17-5 (43 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-2-3

In desperate need of offence.
18. DALLAS STARS [unchanged]
Record: 18-12-11 (47 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-4-2

Hanging in the playoff race.
19. MINNESOTA WILD [down from 17]
Record: 20-19-3 (43 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-5-0

Couldn't beat their old coach.
20. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING [up from 26]
Record: 16-15-10 (42 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

Playing better again.
21. NEW YORK ISLANDERS [up from 25]
Record: 17-18-8 (42 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

DiPietro is making progress.
22. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS [down from 20]
Record: 19-19-3 (41 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-4-2

Blew it in the outdoor game.
23. FLORIDA PANTHERS [down from 19]
Record: 17-18-7 (41 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

Have made up a lot of ground.
24. ANAHEIM DUCKS [down from 23]
Record: 16-19-7 (39 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-6-0

Injuries have dried up the offence.
25. ST. LOUIS BLUES [up from 22]
Record: 17-18-6 (40 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-6-1

Andy Murray deserved a better fate.
26. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS [up from 27]
Record: 14-19-9 (37 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-5-2

Starting to fall towards the bottom.
27. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS [up from 30]
Record: 15-19-9 (39 pts)
Last 10 games: 1-6-3

Trying hard, but still struggling.
28. ATLANTA THRASHERS [down from 24]
Record: 18-17-6 (42 pts)
Last 10 games: 1-6-3

Kovalchuk situation could get messy.
29. CAROLINA HURRICANES [unchanged]
Record: 11-23-7 (29 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-5-1

Brutal on the road.
30. EDMONTON OILERS [down from 28]
Record: 16-22-4 (36 pts)
Last 10 games: 1-9-0

The try is there, but not the results.