Morning playoff check-up

The Habs wasted an opportunity to pull within a point of the fourth place Flyers last night, but the loser point they received still tightened things up slightly. The Penguins saw their seven-game win streak come to an end, but a shootout loss when you were down 3-0 going into the third is almost like a win. They are clearly the hottest team in the pack, and it looks like it might stay that way as they are set to kick off an eight-game home stand Saturday night before finishing the season with 4 of 5 on the road, including a season finale at the Bell Centre. Habs fans had better hope they have a playoff spot locked up by then.

Eastern Conference Playoff Race

Philadelphia Flyers - 4th place, 82 points, 36 wins, 5-4-1
16 games remaining - 9 on road, 7 at home, 8 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 2-1 to Washington; next game – Sat. vs. NY Rangers

Montreal Canadiens - 5th place, 80 points, 36 wins, 6-3-1
14 games remaining - 5 on road, 9 at home, 6 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 4-3 in OT to NY Islanders; next game – Sat. vs. New Jersey

Pittsburgh Penguins - 6th place, 79 points, 36 wins, 8-1-1
13 games remaining - 4 on road, 9 at home, 7 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 4-3 in SO to Columbus; next game – Sat. vs. Ottawa

New York Rangers – 7th place, 78 points, 35 wins, 5-3-2
14 games remaining - 7 on road, 7 at home, 10 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 4-2 over Nashville; next game – Sat. @ Philadelphia

Carolina Hurricanes - 8th place, 78 points, 36 wins, 6-3-1
12 games remaining - 4 on road, 8 at home, 7 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 3-2 to Dallas; next game – Sat. @ Washington

Florida Panthers - 9th place, 77 points, 34 wins, 5-4-1
14 games remaining - 5 on road, 9 at home, 8 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 3-1 to Buffalo; next game – Sat. vs. Tampa Bay

Buffalo Sabres - 10th place, 75 points, 34 wins, 4-5-1
14 games remaining, 7 on road, 7 at home, 8 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 3-1 over Florida; next game – Sat. vs. Atlanta