Morning playoff check-up

Montreal won the most important game of the night 3-2 over Boston, while Philadelphia got a goal at the buzzer from Chris Pronger to down Chicago 3-2 to hold onto sixth place in the conference. Montreal and Philly remain tied in points, and it will be imperative on the Canadiens to keep winning games to maintain the pressure on Philly to try and grab a hold of that spot. It’s of the upmost importance because the winner of that battle will avoid Pittsburgh and Washington in the first round.

The Senators, meanwhile, lost 5-1 to Vancouver and sit only three points up on both the Flyers and Habs. It’s not at all outside the realm of possibility that both Philly and Montreal will pass Ottawa pretty soon.

It was on otherwise quiet night in the race, with a big game today between the Flyers and Rangers. With a seven-point cushion on New York, it’s fair to say the Habs will be pulling for the Blueshirts in this one. Tampa also hosts Pittsburgh today, and a loss there would essentially eliminate the Lightning’s chances of catching the Habs, though Boston is still in their sights.

Ottawa Senators – Fifth place, 37-27-5, 79 points

Last night: 5-1 loss to Vancouver

Next game: v. Toronto Tuesday

13 games remaining, 5 against teams in playoff spot

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

Road (8) –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, 36-27-4, 76 points

Last night: 3-2 win over Chicago

Next game: @ New York Rangers today

15 games remaining, 6 against teams in playoff spot

Home (6) – 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, 35-29-6, 76 points

Last night – 3-2 win over Boston

Next game: @ New York Rangers Tuesday

12 games remaining, 5 against teams in playoff spot

Home (6) – 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, 30-25-12, 72 points

Last night: 3-2 loss to Montreal

Next game: @ New Jersey Monday

15 games remaining, 8 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 (7) – 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: Did not play

Next game: V. Philadelphia today

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 – Did not play

Next game – v. Pittsburgh today

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: Did not play

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