Morning playoff deathwatch

Seeing as it is now abundantly clear the Canadiens only concern is Florida, no Habs fans should be groaning over the three-point game between the Panthers and the Hurricanes last night. No, Carolina must be thanked for ensuring the Habs take the ice tonight against Atlanta still holding down eighth place. Tonight marks the beginning of the end of the Canadiens "easy" part of the schedule, and they need to win all three this week to survive a finish that has the Habs on the road for four of their final six. Oh yeah, the Flyers beat the Devils last night, but it's not as if that matters a lick to the Canadiens.

Eastern Conference Playoff Race

Philadelphia Flyers - 4th place, 90 points, 40 wins, 6-4-0
10 games remaining - 5 on road, 5 at home, 3 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 4-2 over New Jersey; next game – Thursday vs. Florida

Carolina Hurricanes - 5th place, 87 points, 40 wins, 7-1-2
7 games remaining - 2 on road, 5 at home, 4 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 3-2 over Florida; next game – Wednesday vs. Ottawa

Pittsburgh Penguins - 6th place, 86 points, 39 wins, 7-1-2
8 games remaining - 4 on road, 4 at home, 5 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play; next game – Wednesday vs. Calgary

New York Rangers – 7th place, 84 points, 38 wins, 7-3-0
9 games remaining - 5 on road, 4 at home, 7 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play; next game – Tonight vs. Minnesota

Montreal Canadiens - 8th place, 81 points, 36 wins, 3-5-2
10 games remaining - 4 on road, 6 at home, 4 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play; next game – Tonight vs. Atlanta

Florida Panthers - 9th place, 81 points, 35 wins, 3-4-3
9 games remaining - 5 on road, 4 at home, 4 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 3-2 in OT to Carolina; next game – Wednesday @ Buffalo

Buffalo Sabres - 10th place, 76 points, 34 wins, 3-6-1
10 games remaining, 5 on road, 5 at home, 6 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play; next game – Wednesday vs. Florida