Morning playoff check-up

Last night saw a tightening of the race in the west with Calgary pulling even with Detroit in points, but still sitting in ninth because the Wings have a game in hand. Nothing happened out east, but that changes tonight with five of the seven teams on the board in action.

The Morning Playoff Check-up’s marquee match-up takes place in Toronto, with two of the hottest teams in the league facing off in a traditional rivalry game. Otherwise, the Flyers playing in Atlanta is interesting as the Thrashers need a win desperately while everyone waits to see if Flyers goalie Brian Boucher’s 27-save performance in Dallas the other night was just adrenaline talking.

If Montreal wins in Toronto, the Flyers lose in Atlanta and the Senators lose in Dallas, your Canadiens will wake up tomorrow morning all alone in fifth place in the conference.

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

Last night: Did not play

Next game: @ Florida tonight

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: Did not play

Next game: @ Atlanta tonight

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: Did not play

Next game: @ Dallas tonight

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 tonight

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: Did not play

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: Did not play

Next game: v. Philadelphia tonight

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

New York Rangers – 10^th place, 31-31-9, 71 points

Last night: Did not play

Next game: @ Boston Sunday

11 games remaining, 5 against teams in playoff spot

Home (3) – 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