The News' Bucky Gleason ranks the NHL top to bottom.

(Through Thursday's games; last week in parentheses)

1. Pittsburgh Penguins. PP was 3 for 32 in seven games without Gonchar. (1)

2. San Jose Sharks. Rob Blake is the latest among many injuries. (3)

3. Washington Capitals. Ovechkin sidelined but Caps will be fine. (2)

4. New York Rangers. Wonder if Dan Girardi is ever mistaken for Yanks' Joe. (7)

5. Chicago Blackhawks. Workhorse Keith plays 27-plus minutes in eight straight. (6)

6. Buffalo Sabres. What would it take to bring back Biron? (5)

7. Calgary Flames. Coach Brent Sutter: "We will not accept mediocrity." (4)

8. Los Angeles Kings. Quick, name the NHL's leading scorer: Anze Kopitar. (12)

9. Colorado Avalanche. Goalie Craig Anderson making early case for U.S. Olympic team. (15)

10. Vancouver Canucks. Raycroft: 4-1, 1.60 GAA, .936 SP in place of Luongo. (13)

11. Philadelphia Flyers. Defenseman Matt Carle has been terrific. (8)

12. Detroit Red Wings. Ozzie earns 50th shutout. Needs five more W's for 400. (10)

13. New Jersey Devils. Brodeur one shutout from catching leader Terry Sawchuk. (11)

14. Columbus Blue Jackets. Torres finally playing like fifth pick overall. (19)

15. Boston Bruins. Scoreless streak snapped at 192 minutes, six seconds. (9)

16. Dallas Stars. Richards is the best passer in town, not Cowboys QB Tony Romo. (14)

17. Phoenix Coyotes. Mueller's first goal a winner after two-game benching. (22)

18. Edmonton Oilers. Timing couldn't be better for Souray to resume skating. (16)

19. Montreal Canadiens. Record is 7-0 this season in overtime and shootouts. (18)

20. Ottawa Senators. Alfie has nine assists during eight-game point streak. (23)

21. St. Louis Blues. PP goes 4 for 9 in first two games, then 2 for 35. (17)

22. Tampa Bay Lightning. Niitty over Smitty in battle for No. 1 job. (21)

23. Anaheim Ducks. Marchant's first goal of season comes on pretty play. (20)

24. Atlanta Thrashers. Peverley coming of age. Kozlov showing signs of age. (24)

25. New York Islanders. Four-game winning streak, then back to reality. (27)

26. Nashville Predators. Already have been shut out four times this season. (26)

27. Florida Panthers. Right when you stop watching, three straight wins. (28)

28. Minnesota Wild. Ugly mustaches are to raise awareness to prostate cancer. (29)

29. Toronto Maple Leafs. Kessel had 10 shots on goal in debut with new team. (30)

30. Carolina Hurricanes. Veteran group of Staal, Brind'Amour and Samsonov has been brutal. (25)