Morning playoff check-up

The Canadiens got another favour last night as the New Jersey Devils downed the Boston Bruins 3-2, and did not require overtime to do it. That means even if the Bruins were to win their two remaining games in hand on Montreal, the Habs would remain in seventh because they would still have more wins than Boston.

But that was only the appetizer for tonight's main event, as all seven teams on the board are in action, with the Morning Playoff Check-Up Marquee Match-up taking place at Madison Square Garden between the Habs and Rangers. It's the only four-pointer among the teams being tracked here, and I would say if Montreal can extend its winning streak to six games it would also remove any semblance of doubt that the Habs will be in the playoffs this year.

I wouldn't be too surprised to see both Ottawa and Philadelphia lose tonight to Toronto and Nashville, respectively, which would make the battle for fifth and sixth very intense indeed. The loser of that three-team fight obviously draws the Penguins or, if it finishes eighth, the Capitals.

If Atlanta loses at home to Buffalo tonight, I will be removing the poor Thrashers from the board because their playoff hopes will be all but officially dashed.

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

Last night: Did not play

Next game: v. Toronto tonight

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) –Atl March 18, Dal March 20, Mtl March 22, Buf March 26, Was March 30, NYI April 3, Fla April 6, TB April 8

Philadelphia Flyers – Sixth place, 36-28-4, 76 points

Last night: Did not play

Next game: @ Nashville tonight

14 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) – 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 – Did not play

Next game: @ New York Rangers tonight

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, 30-26-12, 72 points

Last night: 3-2 loss to New Jersey

Next game: @ Carolina tonight

14 games remaining, 7 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 (6) – Car March 16, Atl March 23, NJ March 30, Tor April 3, Was April 5, Was April 11

New York Rangers – Ninth place, 31-29-9, 71 points

Last night: Did not play

Next game: v. Montreal tonight

13 games remaining, 6 against teams in playoff spot

Home (5) – 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, 28-28-12, 68 points

Last night – Did not play

Next game – v. Phoenix tonight

14 games remaining, 7 against teams in playoff spot

Home (8) – 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, 28-29-11, 67 points

Last night: Did not play

Next game: v. Buffalo tonight

14 games remaining, 10 against teams in playoff spot

Home (8) – 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