Morning playoff check-up

It would take an extraordinary series of events for the Habs to miss the playoffs after last night's big 6-2 win over the Leafs in Toronto. With a five-point cushion over the ninth-place Panthers and both teams having four games remaining on the schedule, the Habs would have to lose out and Florida would have to win three of four wile the Rangers would also need to win two of three for Montreal to finish ninth. Not very likely. The Devils and Capitals are jockeying for the second and third positions in the conference, and even though New Jersey has been atrocious since Martin Brodeur claimed the all-time wins record I would think they still represent the nightmare first-round opponent for Montreal. The Habs could still finish sixth, and it's possible that will come down to the final game of the season against Pittsburgh. By then, perhaps the second and third positions will have been decided, which could make for an uncomfortable situation where the Habs would need to lose to avoid the Devils.

Eastern Conference Playoff Race

Philadelphia Flyers - 4th place, 95 points, 42 wins, 5-4-1
4 games remaining - 2 on road, 2 at home, 2 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 4-3 in SO to Ottawa
Remaining schedule – Tue. vs. Florida, Thurs. @ NY Rangers, Sat. @ NY Islanders, Sun. @ NY Rangers

Carolina Hurricanes - 5th place, 95 points, 44 wins, 8-1-1
3 games remaining - 1 on road, 2 at home, 1 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 3-2 in OT over Pittsburgh
Remaining schedule – Tue. vs. NY Islanders, Thurs. vs. Buffalo, Sat. @ New Jersey

Pittsburgh Penguins - 6th place, 93 points, 42 wins, 6-1-3
4 games remaining - 3 on road, 1 at home, 1 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 3-2 in OT to Carolina
Remaining schedule – Tonight @ Florida, Tue. @ Tampa Bay, Thurs. vs. NY Islanders, Sat. @ Montreal

Montreal Canadiens - 7th place, 92 points, 41 wins, 5-3-2
4 games remaining - 2 on road, 2 at home, 3 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 6-2 over Toronto
Remaining schedule – Mon. vs. Ottawa, Tue. @ NY Rangers, Thurs. @ Boston, Sat. vs. Pittsburgh

New York Rangers – 8th place, 89 points, 40 wins, 5-4-1
3 games remaining - 1 on road, 2 at home, 3 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 1-0 to Boston
Remaining schedule – Tue. vs. Montreal, Thurs. vs. Philadelphia, Sun. @ Philadelphia

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