Morning playoff check-up

A big two points in last night’s 4-2 win in L.A. allows the Habs to leapfrog both the Thrashers and Rangers into eighth spot in the East, while Tampa’s 6-2 thumping of the Thrashers brings the Lightning to the brink of playoff contention. Otherwise, the Rangers still can’t score, whether Marian Gaborik plays or not, and the Bruins won the opener of their epic seven-game road trip with a victory on Long Island.

I’m going to quickly sum up my thoughts on last night’s Habs win here, simply because I don’t have the energy to write a full blog post this morning. Montreal’s big line was clearly the Scott Gomez-Brian Gionta-Benoit Pouliot trio, which combined for two goals, four assists, 10 shots on goal and a plus-6 rating. They were dangerous on the majority of their shifts and gave the Canadiens defence some much-needed mental rest at times with sustained pressure in the Kings end.

At times in the third period last night it appeared the Canadiens were content to play cautious and sit on a two-goal lead, so when the Kings scored to make it 3-2, it was more than predictable. It was deserved.

What was also deserved was Tomas Plekanec scoring the empty net goal, because even though he has not been producing offensively and clearly looks tired following an Olympic tournament where he started strong but faded toward the end, I thought he played a strong game. Once again, he showed why he is such a complicated case heading into free agency, because he is a top penalty killer AND offensive weapon. Pierre Gauthier has his hands full with him.

Finally, just a note that Roman Hamrlik led the team in ice time with 24:05, Jaroslav Spacek was a plus-3 and Hal Gill, despite getting danced around on the Kings second goal, is playing some of his best hockey of the season.

And now, your morning playoff check-up.

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

Last night: Did not play

Next game: v. Toronto tonight

19 games remaining, 8 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, 29-23-11, 69 points

Last night: 3-2 win over New York Islanders

Next game: @ Pittsburgh tonight

19 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 (11) – 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

Montreal Canadiens – Eighth place, 31-29-6, 68 points

Last night – 4-2 win over Los Angeles

Next game: @ Anaheim tonight

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

Atlanta Thrashers – Ninth place, 28-25-10, 66 points

Last night: 6-2 loss to Tampa Bay

Next game: v. Carolina tonight

19 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 (7) – CBJ March 11, Pha March 21, Car March 27, Tor March 30, Was April 1, Pgh April 3, Was April 9

New York Rangers – 10^th place, 29-28-8, 66 points

Last night: 2-0 loss to Washington

Next game: v. Buffalo tonight

17 games remaining, 9 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 (10) – 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

Tampa Bay Lightning – 11^th place, 27-26-11, 65 points

Last night – 6-2 win over Atlanta

Next game – @ Montreal Tuesday night

18 games remaining, 10 against teams in playoff spot

Home (9) – 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