Morning playoff check-up

All of sudden, the Canadiens dud against Carolina doesn’t sting quite so much. With the Flyers, Bruins and Thrashers all losing last night, the Eastern Conference playoff “race” is grinding to a slow, leisurely stroll. Who wants these last three spots? Seemingly no one.

We’ll see who wants it more badly tonight when the Habs face a dejected Flyers team in Philadelphia tonight. At least the Canadiens won’t have an elite goalie to deal with after having Cam Ward shut the door on them Wednesday night.

The Rangers also play Tampa tonight, and they are being kept alive by the ineptitude of the teams above them. Still, a loss tonight would be crippling.

Philadelphia Flyers – Sixth place, 38-33-6, 82 points

Last night: 6-4 loss to New York Islanders

Next game: v Montreal tonight

5 games remaining, 2 against teams in playoff spot

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

Road (2) – Tor April 6, NYR April 9

Montreal Canadiens – Seventh place, 37-32-8, 82 points

Last night – Did not play

Next game: @ Philadelphia tonight

5 games remaining, 2 against teams in playoff spot

Home (2) – Buf April 3, Tor April 10

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

Boston Bruins – Eighth place, 35-30-12, 82 points

Last night: 1-0 loss to Florida

Next game: @ Toronto Saturday

5 games remaining, 3 against teams in playoff spot

Home (2) – Buf April 8, Car April 10 

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

Atlanta Thrashers – Ninth place, 34-31-12, 80 points

Last night: 2-1 loss to Washington

Next game: @ Pittsburgh Saturday

4 games remaining, 4 against teams in playoff spot

Home (2) – NJ April 6, Pgh April 10

Road (2) – Pgh April 3, Was April 9

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

Last night: Did not play

Next game: @ Tampa Bay tonight

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