Morning playoff check-up

All in all, a pretty good night for the Canadiens without doing a thing, though they did fall back into seventh place. The Senators, Bruins and Rangers lost in regulation, while the Sabres and Flyers won.

The Habs have the same number of games played as both the Rangers and Senators, and they are still seven points up on ninth-place New York with only 11 to play. That’s a practically impossible deficit to make up. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s only a point ahead in sixth.

Nothing happening tonight, as the only Eastern team to play is the Islanders. Out west, the Flames host the Sharks while the Red Wings visit the Oilers as the jockeying for the final playoff spot continues.


UPDATE (9:15 a.m.) I didn't realize that Atlanta's win over Ottawa actually moved them into ninth place, tied in points with the Rangers but with a game in hand. So I've removed the Rangers and replaced them with the Thrashers. It's a bit moot at this point, but all in the name of accuracy.

Buffalo Sabres – Third place, 37-22-10, 84 points

Last night: 6-2 win over Tampa Bay

Next game: @ Florida Saturday

13 games remaining, 6 against teams in playoff spot

Home (5) – Mtl March 24, Ott March 26, TB March 27, Fla March 31, NYR April 6.

Road (8) –Fla March 20, Car March 21, Bos March 29, Tor April 1, Mtl April 3, Bos April 8, Ott April 10, NJ April 11

Philadelphia Flyers – Fifth place, 37-28-5, 79 points

Last night: 4-3 win over Dallas

Next game: @ Atlanta Saturday

12 games remaining, 5 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 (7) – Atl March 20, Ott March 23, Pgh March 27, NYI April 1, Tor April 6, NYR April 9

Ottawa Senators – Sixth place, 37-29-5, 79 points

Last night: 6-3 loss to Atlanta

Next game: @ Dallas Saturday

11 games remaining, 5 against teams in playoff spot

Home (4) – Philadelphia March 23, Florida March 27, Carolina April 1, Buffalo April 10

Road (7) –Dal March 20, Mtl March 22, Buf March 26, Was March 30, NYI April 3, Fla April 6, TB April 8

Montreal Canadiens – Seventh place, 36-29-6, 78 points

Last night – Did not play

Next game: @ Toronto Saturday

11 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 (5) – Tor March 20, Buf March 24, Pha April 2, NYI April 6, Car April 8

Boston Bruins – Eighth place, 31-27-12, 74 points

Last night: 3-0 loss to Pittsburgh

Next game: v. New York Rangers Sunday

12 games remaining, 5 against teams in playoff spot

Home (7) – NYR March 21, TB March 25, Cgy March 27, Buf March 29, Fla April 1, Buf April 8, Car April 10 

Road (5) – Atl March 23, NJ March 30, Tor April 3, Was April 5, Was April 11

Atlanta Thrashers – Ninth place, 30-29-11, 71 points

Last night: 6-3 win over Ottawa

Next game: v. Philadelphia Saturday

12 games remaining, 8 against teams in playoff spot

Home (6) – 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