Only two games in the league last night and the playoff picture is getting a little less muddy. The Rangers kept their head above water with a huge comeback win over the Bruins, rolling all the way back from a 3-0 deficit to win 5-3 in the end. That lifts New York up over the Sabres for 7th place, tied with the Canadiens in points, but lose the games played tie-breaker to stay in 7th. The Bruins, having already clinched their division, didn't really need the points, although playing spoiler would have been fun too.
In the West, the Sharks played host to the Kings on Monday night and laid waste to them pretty good, 6-1. The Kings were in a position to clinch a playoff spot with a win, but it was San Jose that ended up clinching something at the end of the night, the Pacific Division crown.
Next, we'll have a look at the playoff picture going into Tuesday night's action, which will be a busy night with nine games on the schedule.
The Rangers win did put the Maple Leafs on the brink, who are now only holding on by the third tie-breaker, the season series with the Sabres. A point gained by the Sabres or a point lost by the Leafs on Tuesday, will seal their fate.
The Hurricanes, who are idle on Tuesday, cannot be eliminated by other games, but they can drop at least a point against their death number, if the Sabres can pick up a win over the Lightning.
Montreal controls their own fate, in terms of clinching their spot, and a win over the Blackhawks will punch their ticket into the promised land. A win should keep them in good shape to finish 6th and keep the hope of a Habs/Bruins series alive.
The Capitals can win the Southeast Division outright on Tuesday night, with a win over the Maple Leafs and a Lightning loss to the Sabres, regulation or overtime. It would also move them into a better position to lock up at least 2nd in the conference as well, giving them home-ice advantage through the first couple rounds, at the very least. Unfortunately for the Capitals, they lost the season series to the Bruins, so they would need one more point for that to happen.
In the West, it appears that no one can be eliminated from post-season contention, but a Dallas Stars loss to the Blue Jackets, would lower their death number to 2 regulation losses and help the Coyotes, Kings and Predators to clinch their spots in the playoffs.
The Blackhawks could put themselves into a slight bit of trouble, as a regulation loss in Montreal and Dallas beating Columbus, would only separate those two clubs by a point, with the same amount of games played, but both would still have a game in hand on Calgary, who is also in the mix.
If the Stars do end up beating the Blue Jackets tonight, the Predators can clinch their playoff spot by beating the lowly Thrashers tonight. That would definitely see to their own success. Actually, the Predators would get first crack at sealing their own spot, since they start a half hour before the Stars do.
It should be a fun night in the league on Tuesday, lots going on and lots can happen in the playoff pool.
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