The Habs Eastern Conference Race at a Glance Updated 03/25

As the race for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference heats up, I thought I’d put together a calendar for the teams currently seeded 5 to 10.

March 25 Update: The Canadiens win over Florida on Thursday night, and the Flyers overtime loss keeps Montreal in sole possession of sixth place, with Philadelphia two points behind. The Senators sit just ahead with 83 points.

Both the Flyers and Senators hold a game in hand over Montreal.

The Bruins (two games in hand on Montreal) are clinging on to 8th spot, with the Thrashers and Rangers sitting two and three points back respectively.

Mathematically still in the running (10 to 14) are the Lightning with 72 points. The Panthers and Hurricanes with 71, and the Islanders with 70.

After this Saturday’s game against New, Jersey, the Canadiens get three-day break to catch their breaths. At the same time the other contenders will catch up on their game(s) in hand, hopefully in a positive way (losing) for the Habs.

A moral victory: The Leafs sit at 66 points and would only reach 82 points and a maximum 35 wins if they won their remaining eight games.

The Canadiens have 37 wins so far, so even if they lost their last seven games they would still remain ahead in the standings. Just thought I’d point that out. =)

I will keep this updated, as the days progress, for handy reference. As teams slip out of contention, or other teams fall within reach relating to the Canadiens, I will add or delete them.

POS	TEAM	POINTS	GR
5.	Ottawa	83	8
6.	Montreal	82	7
7.	Philadelphia	80	8
8.	Boston	78	9
9.	Atlanta	76	8
10.	NY Rangers	75	8

GAMES REMAINING FOR 5 TO 10th PLACE TEAMS

DATE	OTT	MTL	PHI	BOS	ATL	NYR
03/26	@BUF
03/27	FLA	NJD	@PIT	CAL	@CAR	@TOR
03/28			NJ
03/29				BUF	CAR
03/30	@WAS			@NJD	@TOR	@NYI
03/31		CAR
04/01	CAR		@NYI	FLA	@WAS
04/02		@PHI	MON	@TOR		@TBL
04/03	@NYI	BUF			@PIT	@FLA
04/04			DET
04/05				@WAS
04/06	@FLA	@NYI	@TOR		NJD	@BUF
04/07						TOR
04/08	@TAM	@CAR		BUF
04/09			@NYR		@WAS	PHI
04/10	BUF	TOR		CAR	PIT
04/11			NYR	@WAS		@PHI