(Really, really early) Morning playoff check-up

The Habs kept pace with the surging Flyers and created some much needed distance between themselves and those fighting to get into the playoffs by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning last night. The win puts Montreal four games above the .500 mark for the first time this season, and it also makes it so neither the Thrashers, Lightning nor Rangers can catch them based on games in hand.

It’s not the ultimate in comfort, but it’s a step up from where they were going into the Olympic break.

Meanwhile, the Leafs did Montreal a favour by limiting Boston to a single point last night, the Flyers needed two third period goals to make it past the Isles 3-2, and the Thrashers continued their somewhat predictable slide with a 2-1 loss to Nashville.

The only game of importance tonight has the Rangers in New Jersey to face the Devils, a team that has won only three of their last 10 and could very well find themselves included on this chart if that play continues. The Habs should be hoping the Rangers are the cure for what ails them, because a New York loss would make Montreal’s comfort level a lot higher.

Philadelphia Flyers – Sixth place, 35-26-4, 74 points

Last night: 3-2 win over New York Islanders

Next game: v. Boston on Thursday

17 games remaining, 7 against teams in playoff spot

Home (8) – Bos March 11, Chi March 13, 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, 33-29-6, 72 points

Last night – 5-3 win over Tampa Bay

Next game: v. Edmonton on Thursday

14 games remaining, 6 against teams in playoff spot

Home (8) – Edm March 11, Bos March 13, 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, 29-24-12, 70 points

Last night: 4-3 OT loss to Toronto

Next game: @ Philadelphia on Thursday

17 games remaining, 10 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 (9) – Pha March 11, Mtl March 13, 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, 29-28-9, 67 points

Last night: did not play

Next game: @ New Jersey Wednesday

16 games remaining, 8 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 (10) – NJ March 10, Atl March 12, Bos March 21, NJ March 25, Tor March 27, NYI March 30, TB April 2, Fla April 3, Buf April 6, Pha April 11

Atlanta Thrashers – 10^th place, 28-27-10, 66 points

Last night: 2-1 loss to Nashville

Next game: @ Columbus on Thursday

17 games remaining, 11 against teams in playoff spot

Home (10) – NYR March 12, 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 (7) – CBJ March 11, Pha March 21, Car March 27, Tor March 30, Was April 1, Pgh April 3, Was April 9

Tampa Bay Lightning – 11^th place, 27-27-11, 65 points

Last night – 5-3 loss to Montreal

Next game – @ Toronto on Thursday

17 games remaining, 9 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 (8) – Tor March 11, Was March 12, Fla March 21, Bos March 25, Buf March 27, CBJ March 30, Pgh March 31, Fla April 11