Morning playoff check-up

If there is a clear trade deadline winner that's emerged, it's got to be the Hurricanes. They were in 10th place when they picked up Erik Cole on deadline day, but have since compiled a 10-1-2 record to fins themselves this morning fourth in the conference with home ice in the first round if the playoffs began today. Of course, that's a tenuous hold on fourth since the Flyers hold two games in hand, but the 'Canes have put pressure on their Eastern rivals with some very strong play. Meanwhile, the Habs are seventh after their 5-1 win on the Island and still hold a game in hand on the eighth-place Rangers. If you ask me, the Panthers best shot at making the playoffs is to overtake the Rangers, because I'm not sure the Blueshirts will win more than one game the rest of the way. Their playoff hopes may very well come down to that last Sunday of the regular season against the Flyers.

Eastern Conference Playoff Race

Carolina Hurricanes - 4th place, 93 points, 43 wins, 7-1-2
4 games remaining - 1 on road, 3 at home, 2 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 4-2 over NY Rangers
Next week – Sat. vs. Pittsburgh, Tue. vs. NY Islanders, Thurs. vs. Buffalo, April 11 @ New Jersey

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

Pittsburgh Penguins - 6th place, 92 points, 42 wins, 7-1-2
5 games remaining - 4 on road, 1 at home, 2 against playoff teams
Last night – Did not play
Remaining schedule – Sat. @ Carolina, Sun. @ Florida, Tue. @ Tampa Bay, Thurs. vs. NY Islanders, April 11 @ Montreal

Montreal Canadiens - 7th place, 90 points, 40 wins, 4-3-3
5 games remaining - 3 on road, 2 at home, 3 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 5-1 over NY Islanders
Remaining schedule – Sat. @ Toronto, Mon. vs. Ottawa, Tue. @ NY Rangers, Thurs. @ Boston, April 11 vs. Pittsburgh

New York Rangers – 8th place, 89 points, 40 wins, 5-4-1
4 games remaining - 2 on road, 2 at home, 4 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 4-2 to Carolina
Remaining schedule – Sat. @ Boston, Tue. vs. Montreal, Thurs. vs. Philadelphia, April 12 @ Philadelphia

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 – Tonight vs. Atlanta, Sun. vs. Pittsburgh, Tue. @ Philadelphia, Thurs. @ Atlanta, April 11 vs. Washington