NHL Eastern conference first-quarter report cards.(evaluation of National Hockey League teams)

Atlantic Division

NEW JERSEY DEVILS: There is no question this isn't the same Devils team that was one game away from winning the Stanley Cup in the spring. An inordinate number of odd-man situations are popping up in the New Jersey zone, leading to questions about veteran D Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko. Youngsters Andrei Zyuzin and Mike Commodore are beginning to get more ice time on defense, but they're a work in progress. G Martin Brodeur has struggled to find his form, and some observers say he looks tired. The tipoff? He hasn't been handling the puck--long a Brodeur strength--as much. Up front, C Scott Gomez is trying to find his game without RW Alexander Mogilny around. GRADE: C

NEW YORK ISLANDERS: Suddenly, there's purpose to the way this team plays. It starts with strength up the middle provided by Michael Peca, Alexei Yashin, David Scatchard and Claude Lapointe. While Peca is the leader up front, Roman Hamrlik and Kenny Jonsson are taking charge on defense. G Chris Osgood has given this team a chance to win every game, and G.M. Mike Milbury finally has the goalie he has looked high and low for. The new depth has bred confidence, and F Shawn Bates and first-year D Radek Martinek are examples of that. GRADE: A

NEW YORK RANGERS: It was just a matter of time before the hard work and feisty play of RW Theo Fleury and F Michael York sparked significant production from C Eric Lindros. Meanwhile, G Mike Richter has returned from knee problems to carry a defense that still is led by Brian Leetch and has found grit galore from youngster Tomas Kloucek. GRADE: B+

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS: The results might not show it, but the additions of D Kim Johnsson and Eric Weinrich to spell Eric Desjardins and Dan McGillis have been crucial. Another key element has been the play of G Brian Boucher, who has saved the Flyers from the faltering Roman Cechmanek. Now all coach Bill Barber has to do is find a few more goals in his lineup. In particular, he needs more production from Cs Keith Primeau and Jeremy Roenick. Roenick largely has been a playmaker so far. Was he signed for his playmaking? GRADE: B

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS: No one questions the talent of frontliners Mario Lemieux, Alexei Kovalev, Robert Lang and Martin Straka, but keeping those four healthy and in the lineup has been a problem. Now that the Penguins have uncommunicative coach Ivan Hlinka out of the way, mew bench boss Rick Kehoe is stressing the team's strengths. Slow-starting G Johan Hedberg hasn't been one of them. Don't underestimate the contribution of free-agent-to-be Darius Kasparaitis on an otherwise inexperienced defense. GRADE: B

Northeast Division