Morning playoff deathwatch

OK, I guess people aren't as willing to consider it a deathwatch after a 6-3 win, but I'm going to need to see some consistent play before I consider the Habs a lock to make the playoffs. The importance of that win for the Habs was not only moving two points ahead of Florida for the eighth spot, it gave Montreal two more wins than the Panthers with the same number of games played. That means they have the inside track on the first tiebreak, and if you look at the win totals of the teams we're tracking, you'll see that's a pretty huge advantage. The Canadiens victory also puts the Sabres one more loss away from being dropped off this tracking list, and that loss could come as soon as this evening at home to the Panthers, though I'm sure Habs fans will be pulling for Buffalo to stay in it with a win.

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 – Did not play; 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 – Did not play; next game – Tonight vs. Ottawa

New York Rangers – 6th place, 86 points, 39 wins, 7-3-0
8 games remaining - 5 on road, 3 at home, 7 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 2-1 over Minnesota; next game – Thursday @ Atlanta

Pittsburgh Penguins - 7th 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 – Tonight vs. Calgary

Montreal Canadiens - 8th place, 83 points, 37 wins, 3-5-2
9 games remaining - 4 on road, 5 at home, 4 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 6-3 over Atlanta; next game – Thursday vs. Tampa Bay

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 – Did not play; next game – Tonight @ 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 – Tonight vs. Florida