Morning playoff check-up

The Panthers get dropped despite a gutsy win over Atlanta last night because the Rangers and Habs took care of their business, and now all that's left to decide is positioning. But that can change drastically between now and Sunday as the 4-5-6 teams are all tied in points, as are the 7-8 teams. The Flyers remain in the driver's seat for home ice in the first round with a game in Long Island on Saturday and a home date with the Rangers on the last day of the season, but if they wind up tied in points with the Hurricanes and/or the Penguins, the Flyers will lose the tiebreak based on wins. Carolina's loss to Buffalo hurt its chances, but the 'Canes had to lose at some point. The situation makes it so the Penguins will have a lot to play for in Montreal on Saturday, so the Habs can expect to see their top guys in uniform.

Eastern Conference Playoff Race

Philadelphia Flyers - 4th place, 97 points, 43 wins, 5-4-1
2 games remaining - 1 on road, 1 at home, 1 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 2-1 to NY Rangers
Remaining schedule – Sat. @ NY Islanders, Sun. vs. NY Rangers

Carolina Hurricanes - 5th place, 97 points, 45 wins, 9-1-0
1 games remaining - 1 on road, 1 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 5-1 to Buffalo
Remaining schedule – Sat. @ New Jersey

Pittsburgh Penguins - 6th place, 97 points, 44 wins, 7-2-1
1 games remaining - 1 on road, 1 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 6-1 over NY Islanders
Remaining schedule – Sat. @ Montreal

New York Rangers – 7th place, 93 points, 42 wins, 5-4-1
1 games remaining - 1 on road, 1 against playoff teams
Last night – Won 2-1 over Philadelphia
Remaining schedule – Sun. @ Philadelphia

Montreal Canadiens - 8th place, 93 points, 41 wins, 5-3-2
1 games remaining - 1 at home, 1 against playoff teams
Last night – Lost 5-4 in OT to Boston
Remaining schedule – Sat. vs. Pittsburgh