Morning playoff check-up

Well, it couldn’t have been a much worse night for the Habs last night.

The Senators beat the Caps in overtime 5-4, earning them a trip off the board because they are pretty well locked into fifth right now. The Rangers win over the Islanders got them back on the board, even though they are still extreme longshots with four points to make up on Montreal in six games.

Among the Canadiens direct competition, the Bruins got a huge overtime win in New Jersey on an overtime goal by Patrice Bergeron with just 19 seconds left until a shootout. Wouldn’t have liked Boston’s chances in the skills contest, so that goal was monumental. The win got the Bruins into a tie with Montreal and Philadelphia with 82 points.

The Thrashers beat the Leafs at home to pull to within two points of a playoff spot, but now finish the season against Washington, Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Washington and Pittsburgh. Good luck with that.

Though Montreal is breathing a little heavier this morning, the Habs have the advantage of leading in the win column on Boston, Atlanta and New York, and none of those teams have any games in hand. Four of Montreal’s final six opponents currently sit in the bottom six of the league standings: the Islanders, Leafs and Hurricanes (twice). If the Habs can win three of those games, even if they lose the rest, they finish with 88 points. I think that should be enough to get them in, though they are capable of winning five of their last six.

Philly, meanwhile, has to play the Habs, the red hot Red Wings and finish the season with two against what could be an extremely desperate Rangers team.

So even though it’s getting hot around the Canadiens collar, I still think they remain in the driver’s seat. They’ve earned the easy finishing schedule by playing a tougher one earlier on, so now it’s time for them to take advantage of it.

Philadelphia Flyers – Sixth place, 38-32-6, 82 points

Last night: Did not play

Next game: @ New York Islanders Thursday

6 games remaining, 2 against teams in playoff spot

Home (3) – Mtl Apr 2, Det April 4, NYR April 11

Road (3) – NYI April 1, Tor April 6, NYR April 9

Montreal Canadiens – Seventh place, 37-31-8, 82 points

Last night – Did not play

Next game: v. Carolina tonight

6 games remaining, 2 against teams in playoff spot

Home (3) – Car March 31, Buf April 3, Tor April 10

Road (3) – Pha April 2, NYI April 6, Car April 8

Boston Bruins – Eighth place, 35-29-12, 82 points

Last night: 1-0 overtime win over New Jersey

Next game: v. Florida Thursday

6 games remaining, 3 against teams in playoff spot

Home (3) – Fla April 1, Buf April 8, Car April 10 

Road (3) – Tor April 3, Was April 5, Was April 11

Atlanta Thrashers – Ninth place, 34-30-12, 80 points

Last night: 3-2 win over Toronto

Next game: v Washington Thursday

5 games remaining, 5 against teams in playoff spot

Home (2) – NJ April 6, Pgh April 10

Road (3) – Was April 1, Pgh April 3, Was April 9

New York Rangers – 10^th place, 34-32-10, 78 points

Last night: 4-3 win over New York Islanders

Next game: @ Tampa Bay Friday

6 games remaining, 3 against teams in playoff spot

Home (2) – Tor April 7, Pha April 9

Road (4) – TB April 2, Fla April 3, Buf April 6, Pha April 11