Morning playoff check-up

A big 3-0 win for the Rangers over the Devils last night gives them some breathing room, but the Habs could still overtake them by winning both their games in hand. The Devils suddenly look very mortal, losing five straight and six of seven since Martin Brodeur broke the career wins record. I still wouldn't want to face them in the playoffs, but they're not looking nearly as scary. The Habs could conceivably find themselves sitting outside the playoffs by the end of the night if they don't find a way to beat a tough Blackhawks team at the Bell Centre and the Panthers manage to beat a hot Senators team at home. Both happening is pretty unlikely, and I'm going out on a limb and calling a 5-2 Habs win with a 4-1 Panthers loss. I have a feeling the Habs are starting to figure things out, and the Hawks played Sunday night in Vancouver. That's a quick turnaround to be covering three time zones. I'm wondering if we'll see our old buddy Cristobal Huet in nets after sitting on the bench for five straight? I'm planning on blogging from the game, so check back tonight.

Eastern Conference Playoff Race

Philadelphia Flyers - 4th place, 92 points, 41 wins, 5-5-0
7 games remaining - 4 on road, 3 at home, 2 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play
Remaining schedule – Wed. @ Toronto, Fri. vs. Toronto, Sat. @ Ottawa, Tue. vs. Florida, April 9 @ NY Rangers, April 11 @ NY Islanders, April 12 @ NY Rangers

Carolina Hurricanes - 5th place, 91 points, 42 wins, 7-1-2
5 games remaining - 1 on road, 4 at home, 3 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play
Next week – Thu. vs. NY Rangers, Sat. vs. Pittsburgh, Tue. vs. NY Islanders, April 9 vs. Buffalo, April 11 @ New Jersey

Pittsburgh Penguins - 6th place, 90 points, 41 wins, 7-1-2
6 games remaining - 4 on road, 2 at home, 3 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play
Remaining schedule – Wed. vs. New Jersey, Sat. @ Carolina, Sun. @ Florida, Tue. @ Tampa Bay, April 9 vs. NY Islanders, April 11 @ Montreal

New York Rangers – 7th place, 89 points, 40 wins, 6-3-1
5 games remaining - 3 on road, 2 at home, 5 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 3-0 over New Jersey
Remaining schedule – Thu. @ Carolina, Sat. @ Boston, Tue. vs. Montreal, April 9 vs. Philadelphia, April 12 @ Philadelphia

Montreal Canadiens - 8th place, 86 points, 38 wins, 4-3-3
7 games remaining - 4 on road, 3 at home, 4 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play
Remaining schedule – Tonight vs. Chicago, Thu. @ NY Islanders, Sat. @ Toronto, Mon. vs. Ottawa, Tue. @ NY Rangers, April 9 @ Boston, April 11 vs. Pittsburgh

Florida Panthers - 9th place, 85 points, 37 wins, 3-4-3
6 games remaining - 2 on road, 4 at home, 3 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play
Remaining schedule – Tonight vs. Ottawa, Fri. vs. Atlanta, Sun. vs. Pittsburgh, Tue. @ Philadelphia, April 9 @ Atlanta, April 11 vs. Washington

Buffalo Sabres - 10th place, 82 points, 37 wins, 4-5-1
7 games remaining, 4 on road, 3 at home, 5 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play
Remaining schedule – Wed. @ Atlanta, Fri. @ Washington, Sat. vs. New Jersey, Mon. vs. Detroit, April 8 @ Toronto, April 9 @ Carolina, April 11 vs. Boston