Morning playoff check-up

With their 3-2 OT loss to Atlanta last night, I've decided to drop the Sabres from the playoff watch. That's not to say they couldn't make up the five-point deficit on the Habs in their final six games, but it's not very likely. With the Flyers loss in Toronto last night and the Penguins beat down on the Devils, the in-state rivals are now tied for fourth spot, with Philly holding on only because of its game in hand on the Pens. The big game on the docket tonight has the Rangers visiting Carolina. Should New York win, and if the Habs can handle the Islanders on the road tonight, then sixth place in the conference could indeed be an attainable goal for Montreal as they'd be only a point back with a game in hand on both the Hurricanes and Rangers.

Eastern Conference Playoff Race

Philadelphia Flyers - 4th place, 92 points, 41 wins, 5-5-0
6 games remaining - 3 on road, 3 at home, 2 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 3-2 to Toronto
Remaining schedule – Fri. vs. Toronto, Sat. @ Ottawa, Tue. vs. Florida, Thurs. @ NY Rangers, April 11 @ NY Islanders, April 12 @ NY Rangers

Pittsburgh Penguins - 5th place, 92 points, 42 wins, 7-1-2
5 games remaining - 4 on road, 1 at home, 2 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 6-1 over New Jersey
Remaining schedule – Sat. @ Carolina, Sun. @ Florida, Tue. @ Tampa Bay, Thurs. vs. NY Islanders, April 11 @ Montreal

Carolina Hurricanes - 6th 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 – Tonight vs. NY Rangers, Sat. vs. Pittsburgh, Tue. vs. NY Islanders, Thurs. vs. Buffalo, April 11 @ New Jersey

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 – Did not play
Remaining schedule – Tonight @ Carolina, Sat. @ Boston, Tue. vs. Montreal, Thurs. vs. Philadelphia, April 12 @ Philadelphia

Montreal Canadiens - 8th place, 88 points, 39 wins, 4-3-3
6 games remaining - 4 on road, 2 at home, 3 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play
Remaining schedule – Tonight @ NY Islanders, Sat. @ Toronto, Mon. 6 vs. Ottawa, Tue. @ NY Rangers, Thurs. @ Boston, April 11 vs. Pittsburgh

Florida Panthers - 9th place, 87 points, 38 wins, 4-4-2
5 games remaining - 2 on road, 3 at home, 3 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play
Remaining schedule – Fri. vs. Atlanta, Sun. vs. Pittsburgh, Tue. @ Philadelphia, Thurs. @ Atlanta, April 11 vs. Washington