T-Minus Four Weeks

With the regular season ending four weeks from yesterday, it's time to take a look at how the Eastern playoff chase breaks down, and how the teams stack up - and take a shot at how the teams will finish up.

1) Boston (45-17-9, 99 points, 11 games remaining): Despite cooling off considerably in March, the Bruins still enjoy a six-point edge over second-place New Jersey as time is running short for anyone to take home ice in the East away from Boston. Prediction: First

2) New Jersey (45-20-3, 93 points, 14 games remaining): Martin Brodeur ties Patrick Roy's mark in Montreal, and now gets a chance to pass him on home ice Tuesday against Chicago. The Devils have also put a bit of pressure on Boston, but they're going to need to win those games in hand to make a serious challenge. Prediction: Second

3) Washington: (43-22-6, 92 points, 11 games remaining): Washington will be spending a lot of time away from home, as only four of those last 11 are at Verizon. Dropping games to the Thrashers won't help them take second place back from New Jersey, but they're safely in as at least the third with the Southeast lead. Prediction: Third

4) Philadelphia (37-21-10, 84 points, 14 games remaining): Don't look now, Philly, but their seemingly comfortable edge in the battle for home ice has shriveled to just two points over the surging Penguins. The Flyers' 5-4-1 stretch could drop them into a lower seed if they're not careful. Prediction: Fifth

5) Pittsburgh (37-26-8, 82 points, 11 games remaining): Pittsburgh keeps rolling, now without a regulation loss in 10 games and now pushing for not only a playoff spot, but home ice in the first round as well. Prediction: Fourth

6) Montreal (36-25-8, 80 points, 12 games remaining): The Habs cool off from their hot streak, losing two in a row and still aren't quite assured of making the postseason in the very tight Eastern Conference race. Prediction: Sixth

7) Rangers (36-26-8, 80 points, 12 games remaining): Despite their changes at the deadline, the Rangers still have just a two-point cushion on being out of the playoffs completely. It's a hard fall after the team led the East early on to be fighting for a playoff spot now. Prediction: Seventh

8) Carolina (36-28-7, 79 points, 11 games remaining): The Canes rally to grab a point in Washington, and they will need Cam Ward to play well down the stretch to take the final playoff berth. Prediction: Ninth

9) Florida (34-25-10, 78 points, 13 games remaining): The Panthers pick a bad time to go into a slump, and they will need better than playing .500 hockey to end their playoff drought. Prediction: Eighth

10) Buffalo (34-27-8, 76 points, 13 games remaining): Buffalo still is hanging in there, but they will need to make one big push to catch up to the rest of the pack. Prediction: Tenth