Morning playoff check-up

The Thrashers are on the verge of being dropped off the board following their 5-2 loss to the Rangers last night, leaving them six points out of a playoff spot. Meanwhile, the reeling Tampa Bay Lightning managed a surprise 3-2 win in Washington one night after losing in overtime to the lowly Leafs, allowing them to continue hoping for a massive Bruins collapse in the final stretch.

There’s an addition to the Morning Playoff Check-up today, as Ottawa is no longer an unreachable target for the Canadiens. The Sens only have one game in hand on the Habs, and sit five points up. Still comfy territory, but Montreal is as close to Ottawa as it is far from the Rangers in ninth, so I felt the Sens should be added.

The Habs-Bruins tilt at the Bell Centre tonight is a no-brainer choice for the Morning Playoff Check-up Marquee Match-up, with the Bruins holding the edge in the desperation category, but the Habs having the advantage of owning the B’s of late.

Otherwise, Ottawa has a very tough game in Vancouver, and Philadelphia has an equally difficult assignment as the Flyers host the Blackhawks.

Ottawa Senators – Fifth place, 37-26-5, 79 points

Last night: Did not play

Next game: @Vancouver tonight

14 games remaining, 6 against teams in playoff spot

Home (5) – Toronto March 16, Philadelphia March 23, Florida March 27, Carolina April 1, Buffalo April 10

Road (9) – Vancouver March 13, Atlanta March 18, Dallas March 20, Montreal March 22, Buffalo March 26, Washington March 30, New York Islanders April 3, Florida April 6, Tampa Bay April 8

Philadelphia Flyers – Sixth place, 35-27-4, 74 points

Last night: Did not play

Next game: v. Chicago tonight

16 games remaining, 7 against teams in playoff spot

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

Road (9) – 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

Montreal Canadiens – Seventh place, 34-29-6, 74 points

Last night – Did not play

Next game: v. Boston tonight

13 games remaining, 6 against teams in playoff spot

Home (7) – Bos March 13, Ott March 22, Fla March 25, NJ March 27, Car March 31, Buf April 3, Tor April 10

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

Boston Bruins – Eighth place, 30-24-12, 72 points

Last night: Did not play

Next game: @ Montreal tonight

16 games remaining, 9 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 (8) – Mtl March 13, NJ March 15, Car March 16, Atl March 23, NJ March 30, Tor April 3, Was April 5, Was April 11

New York Rangers – Ninth place, 30-29-9, 69 points

Last night: 5-2 win over Atlanta

Next game: V. Philadelphia Sunday

14 games remaining, 7 against teams in playoff spot

Home (6) – Pha March 14, Mtl March 16, StL March 18, NYI March 24, Tor April 7, Pha April 9

Road (8) – 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 – 10^th place, 28-27-12, 68 points

Last night – 3-2 win over Washington

Next game – v. Pittsburgh Sunday

15 games remaining, 8 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 (6) – Fla March 21, Bos March 25, Buf March 27, CBJ March 30, Pgh March 31, Fla April 11

Atlanta Thrashers – 11^th place, 28-29-10, 66 points

Last night: 5-2 loss to New York Rangers

Next game: v. Phoenix Monday

15 games remaining, 11 against teams in playoff spot

Home (9) – 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 (6) – Pha March 21, Car March 27, Tor March 30, Was April 1, Pgh April 3, Was April 9