Morning playoff check-up

The Flyers did the Habs a huge favour by beating the Panthers last night, making the losses to the Sens and Rangers a little more palatable. Despite the setback the Habs can still finish seventh, but sixth place looks extremely unlikely because all the Pensguins have to do is beat the lowly Islanders on Thursday. That's probably a good thing, because it looks like the Devils are locked into third in the conference, and Montreal's probably got a better chance against either the Capitals or Bruins. The Rangers have two games left against the Flyers, who are in a dogfight for home ice in the first round with the red hot Hurricanes. Philly should be plenty motivated for those games, which is also good news for the Habs. There's a brief reprieve in the race tonight as none of the teams are in action, but it's another huge night Thursday as the Habs can punch their ticket with either a win in Boston or a Panthers loss to the Thrashers.

Eastern Conference Playoff Race

Philadelphia Flyers - 4th place, 97 points, 43 wins, 6-3-1
3 games remaining - 2 on road, 1 at home, 2 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 2-1 over Florida
Remaining schedule – Thurs. @ NY Rangers, Sat. @ NY Islanders, Sun. vs. NY Rangers

Carolina Hurricanes - 5th place, 97 points, 45 wins, 9-0-1
2 games remaining - 1 on road, 1 at home, 1 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 9-0 over NY Islanders
Remaining schedule – Thurs. vs. Buffalo, Sat. @ New Jersey

Pittsburgh Penguins - 6th place, 95 points, 43 wins, 7-2-1
2 games remaining - 1 on road, 1 at home, 1 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 6-4 over Tampa Bay
Remaining schedule – Thurs. vs. NY Islanders, Sat. @ Montreal

Montreal Canadiens - 7th place, 92 points, 41 wins, 5-4-1
2 games remaining - 1 on road, 1 at home, 2 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 3-1 to NY Rangers
Remaining schedule – Thurs. @ Boston, Sat. vs. Pittsburgh

New York Rangers – 8th place, 91 points, 41 wins, 5-4-1
2 games remaining - 1 on road, 1 at home, 2 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 3-1 over Montreal
Remaining schedule – Thurs. vs. Philadelphia, Sun. @ Philadelphia

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