Consistency has been key to the success of the San Jose Sharks.Consistency has been key to the success of the San Jose Sharks. (Eric Risberg/Associated Press)

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: 40-13-9 (89 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-3-1

Have been the most consistent of the front runners.
2. WASHINGTON CAPITALS [down from 1]
Record: 41-13-8 (90 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-1-2

Love the firepower, worry about the defensive play.
3. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS [unchanged]
Record: 41-15-5 (87 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-3-1

Questions remain about the goaltending
4. LOS ANGELES KINGS [unchanged]
Record: 37-20-4 (78 pts)
Last 10 games: 8-1-1

Survived a brief fall and strong as ever.
5. PHOENIX COYOTES [up from 6]
Record: 37-21-5 (79 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-3-0

It all starts with Bryzgalov.
6. NEW JERSEY DEVILS [up from 7]
Record: 37-21-3 (77 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-5-2

Kovalchuk trade hasn't paid dividends yet.
7. COLORADO AVALANCHE [up from 8]
Record: 35-20-6 (76 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-5-0

Duchene has been terrific.
8. VANCOUVER CANUCKS [down from 5]
Record: 37-22-2 (76 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-4-0

Survived the first leg of the 14-game road trip.
9. OTTAWA SENATORS [up from 10]
Record: 36-23-4 (76 pts)
Last 10 games: 8-2-0

Spezza has been on fire.
10. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS [down from 9]
Record: 36-22-4 (76 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-2-3

Need some help at the deadline.
11. BUFFALO SABRES [unchanged]
Record: 33-18-9 (75 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-5-2

Has Miller hit the wall?
12. NASHVILLE PREDATORS [unchanged]
Record: 33-23-5 (71 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-4-2

Getting the most out of limited offence.
13. CALGARY FLAMES [unchanged]
Record: 30-23-9 (69 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-3-3

Is there another deal in the works?
14. DETROIT RED WINGS [unchanged]
Record: 28-21-12 (68 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-3-4

Time to make a playoff push.
15. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS [up from 17]
Record: 32-25-3 (67 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-4-0

Can Leighton carry them to the playoffs?
16. BOSTON BRUINS [up from 25]
Record: 27-22-11 (65 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-3-3

Finally starting to resemble old selves.
17. MONTREAL CANADIENS [down from 15]
Record: 29-28-6 (64 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-5-1

Did they overpay for Dom Moore?
18. DALLAS STARS [unchanged]
Record: 28-21-12 (68 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-3-1

Turco is playing great, in time to be traded.
19. ANAHEIM DUCKS [up from 20]
Record: 30-25-7 (67 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-4-0

Have to be better on the road.
20. ST. LOUIS BLUES [up from 23]
Record: 28-25-9 (65 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

Suddenly just four points out of a playoff spot.
21. MINNESOTA WILD [down from 19]
Record: 30-27-4 (64 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-4-0

Latendresse was a great trade.
22. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING [down from 16]
Record: 26-24-11 (63 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

St. Louis and Stamkos have been playing great.
23. NEW YORK RANGERS [down from 21]
Record: 28-27-7 (63 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-6-0

Jokinen may be of help.
24. ATLANTA THRASHERS [down from 22]
Record: 26-24-10 (62 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-3-3

Surviving without Kovalchuk.
25. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS [down from 24]
Record: 25-28-10 (60 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

Mason has been good since coaching change.
26. FLORIDA PANTHERS [unchanged]
Record: 24-27-10 (58 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-5-1

Odd time to start rebuilding, still close to a playoff spot.
27. CAROLINA HURRICANES [unchanged]
Record: 24-30-7 (55 pts)
Last 10 games: 8-2-0

Peters has been very good in goal.
28. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS [unchanged]
Record: 19-31-11 (49 pts)
Last 10 games: 2-6-2

Trades have helped, but lots of work ahead.
29. NEW YORK ISLANDERS [unchanged]
Record: 25-29-8 (58 pts)
Last 10 games: 2-8-4

Youngsters are struggling offensively.
30. EDMONTON OILERS [unchanged]
Record: 19-36-6 (44 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-7-0

The break couldn't have come fast enough.