Here’s the updated standings for the incredibly close race in the Eastern conference. Remember, it’s not just a battle for the playoffs; none of these teams want to play the Capitals in the first round. Of course, you never would have guessed based on how they’ve played down the stretch:
Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | |
6 | Boston Bruins | 80 | 37 | 30 | 13 | 87 |
7 | Montreal Canadiens | 81 | 39 | 33 | 9 | 87 |
8 | Philadelphia Flyers | 80 | 40 | 34 | 6 | 86 |
9 | New York Rangers | 80 | 37 | 33 | 10 | 84 |
6. Boston Bruins - Games remaining: Carolina, @Washington
Boston did all but secure a playoff spot with a big win over the Buffalo Sabres last night. Just one point -- or a loss by the New York Rangers -- and the Bruins will have clinched a spot in the playoffs. They’re only drawback at this point is they might be short on tiebreakers if it comes down securing a higher playoff spot.
7. Montreal Canadiens - Game remaining: Toronto
The Habs are insisting on giving their fans massive heart attacks, as they have won just three of their last ten games and have slowly started to slide down the standings. Eric Staal’s hat trick destroyed another chance for the Canadiens to lock down a playoff spot, and a loss to Toronto in the final game of the season could be devastating. Because of the NHL’s incredibly insane points system, the New York Rangers could beat the Flyers in both games this weekend and the Canadiens could still miss the playoffs. How?
If the Rangers beat the Flyers in two overtime or shootout games, both teams surpass the Canadiens in the standings. So the key is to just beat the Leafs and not worry about such silliness.
8. Philadelphia Flyers - Games remaining: @NY Rangers, NY Rangers
One win in either game against the Rangers and the Flyers secure a spot in the playoffs. They could leap frog the Habs as well, which is incredibly important for a team that has about a 4% chance of beating the Capitals in the first round.
9. New York Rangers - Games remaining: Philadelphia, @Philadelphia
This is the easy part. Win both games against the Flyers and they’re in the playoffs. Three points may not do it, due to tiebreakers, but securing four points in any way possible will certainly get the job done. Amazingly, it’s still possibly for the Rangers to finish in the 6th spot in the East.