This Is the Home Stretch: Eastern Conference

As hard as it might be to believe, it’s been more than six months since the NHL season started when the refs dropped the opening faceoff in a game between the Rangers and the Lightning in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. ↵↵But while both Barry Melrose and Tom Renney are long gone, the NHL season still has a full six days to go. Here’s a quick list of Eastern Conference teams that still have something to play for. I’ll look at the Western Conference tomorrow. ↵

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↵↵What they’ve achieved: Cinched Northeast Divison, the top seed in the East and home ice for the remainder of their playoffs.
↵What’s left: Staying healthy and a possible shot at the Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular-season record. With four games remaining, they trail the San Jose Sharks by three points. ↵

↵↵WASHINGTON CAPITALS (79 GP) --
↵What they’ve achieved: The Southeast Division title and home-ice advantage in at least the first round of the playoffs.
↵What’s left: With three games to go, the Caps have a two-point lead on New Jersey for the second seed overall, which would guarantee home ice for at least the first two rounds. ↵

↵↵NEW JERSEY DEVILS (79 GP) --
↵What they’ve achieved: They’ve clinched a playoff spot.
↵What’s left: The Devils need one point to clinch the Atlantic Division and home ice in at least the first round of the playoffs. They trail the Caps by two points for the second seed. ↵

↵↵PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (78 GP) --
↵What they’ve achieved: Believe it or not, nothing. Though it’s unlikely, the Flyers, seeded fourth in the East, could miss the playoffs with an epic collapse.
↵What’s left: There’s still the mathematical possibility of passing the Devils for the Atlantic Division title, but that’s remote. Of more immediate concern is holding off Carolina, Pittsburgh and Montreal for the fourth seed and home ice in the first round. ↵

↵↵CAROLINA HURRICANES (79 GP) --
↵What they’ve achieved: The franchise’s first playoff berth since their 2006 Stanley Cup.
↵What’s left: The Caps have clinched the Southeast Division, but catching Philly for the fourth overall seed isn’t out of the question. ↵

↵↵PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (79 GP) --
↵What they’ve achieved: A fighting chance to make the playoffs under interim coach Dan Bylsma.
↵What’s left: They need two points and a win to lock in the tiebreaker over ninth place Florida, but they’ll need the Flyers or Hurricanes to stumble to grab the fourth seed. ↵

↵↵MONTREAL CANADIENS (78 GP) --
↵What they’ve achieved: A very tenuous hold on the seventh seed.
↵What’s left: If Florida wins out, the Habs would need four points in their last four games to lock in a playoff spot. ↵

↵↵NEW YORK RANGERS (79 GP) --
↵What they’ve achieved: A front office wondering if they’ll be able to count on any revenue from home playoff games. In short, nothing.
↵What’s left: They’re tied with ninth-place Florida with 89 points, but own the tiebreaker thanks to a passel of shootout wins. If Florida wins out, the Rangers will need six points to secure the last playoff spot. ↵

↵↵FLORIDA PANTHERS (79 GP) --
↵What they’ve achieved: As per above, tied for the Rangers, but are in ninth place thanks to the tiebreaker for most wins. NB: If Ken Holland’s recent proposal to flip the playoff tiebreaker to regulation wins was currently in effect, the Panthers would be in 8th place.
↵What’s left: All eyes are on the Rags with three games to go, ↵

↵↵BUFFALO SABRES (78 GP) --
↵What they’ve achieved: After losing goalie Ryan Miller for a month, the Sabres now know they need a better backup than Patrick Lalime.
↵What’s left: If the Sabres win out, that would mean 93 points. Both teams ahead of them fighting for eighth, the Rangers and Panthers, play the Flyers once before the season ends, so look for Sabres fans to be pulling for the Flyers. ↵

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