Morning playoff check-up

The Panthers got a huge victory at home over the Penguins last night, allowing them to keep the heat on the Rangers and also giving the Habs an opportunity to jump into sixth in the conference with a win over the Sens at the Bell Centre tonight. This is Montreal's game in hand, as the rest of the way most teams will be playing on the same nights, and while a victory is not necessarily vital at this point it could prove to be later this week as the Habs finish with three games against tough opposition. A win tonight would also allow Montreal to remain in contention to finish as high as fourth in the conference if this hot streak can continue, and would remomve some of the importance of Tuesday's game in New York against the Rangers.

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 – Did not play
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 – Did not play
Remaining schedule – Tue. vs. NY Islanders, Thurs. vs. Buffalo, Sat. @ New Jersey

Pittsburgh Penguins - 6th place, 93 points, 42 wins, 6-2-2
3 games remaining - 2 on road, 1 at home, 1 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 4-2 to Florida
Remaining schedule – 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 – Did not play
Remaining schedule – Tonight 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 – Did not play
Remaining schedule – Tue. vs. Montreal, Thurs. vs. Philadelphia, Sun. @ Philadelphia

Florida Panthers - 9th place, 89 points, 39 wins, 5-4-1
3 games remaining - 2 on road, 1 at home, 2 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 4-2 over Pittsburgh
Remaining schedule – Tue. @ Philadelphia, Thurs. @ Atlanta, Sat. vs. Washington