(Extremely early) morning playoff check-up

The Hurricanes jumped past the Rangers into sixth place with a tough 5-4 win over the Islanders, and I'm on the verge of dropping some teams from the check-up. The two Pennsylvania teams can basically punch their ticket to the playoffs now, but as long as they remain within striking distance of the Habs they'll stick around here. That may not be for much longer. If the Sabres lose to the Rangers tonight and both the Habs and Panthers win (which is far from a sure thing), then I'd be inclined to proclaim the Sabres dead. Every team in the check-up is in action tonight except the Pennsylvania teams who have a huge showdown Sunday. The marquee game would normally be Habs-Leafs, but really, does that turn anyone's crank anymore? If I had NHL Centre Ice and I wasn't working, I'd be checking out the Rangers-Sabres game tonight.

Eastern Conference Playoff Race

Philadelphia Flyers - 4th place, 86 points, 38 wins, 5-5-0
12 games remaining - 6 on road, 6 at home, 5 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 6-4 over Buffalo; next game – Sunday @ Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Penguins - 5th place, 86 points, 39 wins, 8-0-2
9 games remaining - 4 on road, 5 at home, 6 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 4-1 over Los Angeles; next game – Sunday vs. Philadelphia

Carolina Hurricanes - 6th place, 83 points, 38 wins, 6-2-2
9 games remaining - 3 on road, 6 at home, 5 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 5-4 over NY Islanders; next game – Tonight vs. Washington

New York Rangers – 7th place, 82 points, 37 wins, 6-3-1
11 games remaining - 5 on road, 6 at home, 7 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play; next game – Tonight vs. Buffalo

Montreal Canadiens - 8th place, 81 points, 36 wins, 4-4-2
11 games remaining - 4 on road, 7 at home, 4 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play; next game – Tonight vs. Toronto

Florida Panthers - 9th place, 80 points, 35 wins, 4-4-2
11 games remaining - 5 on road, 6 at home, 6 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play; next game – Tonight vs. Columbus

Buffalo Sabres - 10th place, 76 points, 34 wins, 3-5-2
11 games remaining, 6 on road, 5 at home, 7 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 6-4 to Philadelphia; next game – Tonight @ NY Rangers