Morning playoff check-up

The Flyers earned a loser point in an overtime loss to the Sabres last night to extend their cushion to three points for sixth in the conference. Otherwise, it was a quiet night in the playoff chase.

Tonight sees every other team on the board in action, with a big four-point match-up between the Thrashers and Lightning. If Tampa can win in regulation on home ice, it would close the gap with Atlanta to a single point. It’s hard to say what kind of result would be most beneficial for the Habs in that game, but I’d have to think getting Tampa off their backs with a loss would help more than if the Lightning pulled closer to the glut of teams tied for eighth.

The standings could change drastically tonight. If, for example, the Bruins lose to the Islanders and Atlanta, the Rangers and the Habs all win, suddenly Boston would fall from seventh to 10^th. That’s parity folks. Manufactured parity, but parity nonetheless.

One final note, tonight’s game starts the second-to-last set of back-to-back games for the Habs this season. Every other team on the board has at least three left.

Philadelphia Flyers – Sixth place, 33-26-4, 70 points

Last night: 3-2 OT loss to Buffalo

Next game: v. Toronto Sunday

19 games remaining, 10 against teams in playoff spot

Home (10) – Tor March 7, NYI March 9, Bos March 11, Chi March 13, Atl March 21, Min March 25, NJ March 28, Mtl Apr 2, Det April 4, NYR April 11

Away (10) – NYR Mar 14, Nash March 16, Dal March 18, Atl March 20, Ott March 23, Pgh March 27, NYI April 1, Tor April 6, NYR April 9

Boston Bruins – Seventh place, 28-23-11, 67 points

Last night: Did not play

Next game: @ New York Islanders tonight

20 games remaining, 10 against teams in playoff spot

Home (8) – Pgh March 18, NYR March 21, TB March 25, Cgy March 27, Buf March 29, Fla April 1, Buf April 8, Car April 10 

Road (12) – NYI March 6, Pgh March 7, Tor March 9, Pha March 11, Mtl March 13, NJ March 15, Car March 16, Atl March 23, NJ March 30, Tor April 3, Was April 5, Was April 11

Atlanta Thrashers – Eighth place, 28-24-10, 66 points

Last night: Did not play

Next game: @ Tampa Bay tonight

20 games remaining, 12 against teams in playoff spot

Home (12) – Car March 7, Nash March 9, NYR March 12, Phx March 15, Buf March 16, Ott March 18, Pha March 20, Bos March 23, Tor March 25, Car March 29, NJ April 6, Pgh April 10

Road (8) – TB March 6, CBJ March 11, Pha March 21, Car March 27, Tor March 30, Was April 1, Pgh April 3, Was April 9

New York Rangers – Ninth place, 29-27-8, 66 points

Last night: Did not play

Next game: @ Washington tonight

18 games remaining, 10 against teams in playoff spot

Home (7) – Buf March 7, Pha March 14, Mtl March 16, StL March 18, NYI March 24, Tor April 7, Pha April 9

Road (11) – Was March 6, NJ March 10, Atl March 12, Bos March 21, NJ March 25, Tor March 27, NYI March 30, TB April 2, Fla April 3, Buf April 6, Pha April 11

Montreal Canadiens – 10^th place, 30-29-6, 66 points

Last night – Did not play

Next game: @ Los Angeles tonight

17 games remaining, 7 against teams in playoff spot

Home (9) – TB March 9, Edm March 11, Bos March 13, Ott March 22, Fla March 25, NJ March 27, Car March 31, Buf April 3, Tor April 10

Road (8) – LAK March 6, Ana March 7, NYR March 16, Tor March 20, Buf March 24, Pha April 2, NYI April 6, Car April 8

Tampa Bay Lightning – 11^th place, 26-26-11, 63 points

Last night – Did not play

Next game – v. Atlanta tonight

19 games remaining, 10 against teams in playoff spot

Home (10) – Atl March 6, Pgh March 14, Phx March 16, Buf March 18, Was March 20, Car March 23, NYR April 2, Car April 6, Ott April 8, Fla April 10

Road (9) – Mtl March 9, Tor March 11, Was March 12, Fla March 21, Bos March 25, Buf March 27, CBJ March 30, Pgh March 31, Fla April 11