Here is where the Eastern Conference playoff picture stands today:
Tampa Bay Lightning (52-13-4)
Where they stand: 108 points; first in NHL and Atlantic Division
Games remaining: 13 (four home; nine road)
Key games: March 25 vs. Boston Bruins; April 6 at Bruins
If playoffs started today: Would play the Columbus Blue Jackets in first round
Need to know: The Lightning became the first team to clinch a playoff berth into the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, doing so in 68 games, tied for second fewest in NHL history. Only the 2009-10 Washington Capitals (67 games) clinched in fewer games.
Boston Bruins (42-18-9)
Where they stand: 93 points; second in Atlantic Division
Games remaining: 13 (four home; nine road)
Key games: March 25 at Lightning; April 6 vs. Lightning
If playoffs started today: Would play the Toronto Maple Leafs in first round
Need to know: The Bruins had their 19-game point streak (15-0-4) end with a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.
Toronto Maple Leafs (42-21-5)
Where they stand: 89 points; third in Atlantic Division
Games remaining: 14 (seven home; seven road)
Key games: March 11 vs. Lightning; April 6 at Montreal Canadiens
If playoffs started today: Would play the Bruins in first round
Need to know: Toronto's plus-51 goal differential is second-best in the NHL, trailing only the Lightning (plus-85).
Washington Capitals (41-21-7)
Where they stand: 89 points; first in Metropolitan Division
Games remaining: 13 (six home, seven road)
Key games: March 26 vs. Carolina Hurricanes; April 6 vs. New York Islanders
If playoffs started today: Would play the Hurricanes in first round
Need to know: The Capitals have won seven games in a row, the longest current winning streak in the NHL.
New York Islanders (39-22-7)
Where they stand: 85 points; second in Metropolitan Division
Games remaining: 14 (six home, eight road)
Key games: March 14 vs. Montreal Canadiens; April 6 at Capitals
If playoffs started today: Would play the Pittsburgh Penguins in first round
Need to know: The Islanders have allowed 2.40 goals per game, best in the NHL. However, they have given up 18 goals in their past five games (3.60) while going 2-3-0.
Pittsburgh Penguins (37-23-9)
Where they stand: 83 points; third in Metropolitan Division
Games remaining: 13 (seven home; six road)
Key games: March 12 vs. Capitals; March 31 vs. Carolina Hurricanes
If playoffs started today: Would play the Islanders in first round
Need to know: Penguins goalie Matt Murray is 6-1-2 in his past nine starts, allowing 23 goals. He made 39 saves in 4-2 win against the Bruins on Sunday.
Carolina Hurricanes (37-24-7)
Where they stand: 81 points; first wild card from Eastern Conference
Games remaining: 14 (eight home, six road)
Key games: March 19 vs. Penguins; March 26 at Capitals
If playoffs started today: Would play the Capitals in first round
Need to know: The Hurricanes have two more games remaining against Western Conference opponents (March 11 at the Colorado Avalanche and March 23 against the Minnesota Wild). They are 17-8-3 against the West this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets (38-27-3)
Where they stand: 79 points; second wild card from Eastern Conference
Games remaining: 14 (five home; nine road)
Key games: March 15 vs. Hurricanes; March 28 vs. Montreal Canadiens
If playoffs started today: Would play Lightning in first round
Need to know: Since joining the Blue Jackets before the NHL Trade Deadline on Feb. 25, center Matt Duchene has four points (one goal, three assists) in nine games and forward Ryan Dzingel has three assists in seven games.
Montreal Canadiens (36-26-7)
Where they stand: 79 points; tied in points for second wild card from Eastern Conference
Games remaining: 13 (seven home; six road)
Key games: March 21 vs. Islanders; April 6 vs. Maple Leafs
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify (lose tiebreaker)
Need to know: After losing two of three last week on their California road trip, the Canadiens play Western Conference opponents twice more this season (March 16 against the Chicago Blackhawks and March 30 at the Winnipeg Jets). Montreal is 16-12-0 against teams from the West.
Philadelphia Flyers (33-27-8)
Where they stand: 74 points; five points out of second wild card
Games remaining: 14 (seven home, seven road)
Key games: March 17 at Penguins; March 30 at Hurricanes
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Need to know: Flyers are 18-5-2 in their past 25 games since Jan. 9, when they were last in the NHL at 15-22-6.
Florida Panthers (30-27-12)
Where they stand: 72 points; seven points out of second wild card
Games remaining: 13 (five home; eight road)
Key games: March 26 at Canadiens; March 30 at Bruins
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Need to know: The Panthers are 12-15-6 on the road this season, but have points in six of their past seven games away from BB&T Center (3-1-3).
Buffalo Sabres (30-29-9)
Where they stand: 69 points; 10 points out of second wild card
Games remaining: 14 (eight home; six road)
Key games: March 14 vs. Penguins; March 23 at Canadiens
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Need to know: The Sabres are fifth in the NHL with a penalty kill percentage of 82.7. They've allowed three power-play goals in their past 10 games.
New York Rangers (28-28-12)
Where they stand: 68 points; 11 points out of second wild card
Games remaining: 14 (five home; nine road)
Key games: March 25 vs. Penguins; March 31 at Flyers
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Need to know: The Rangers have played 19 overtime games (7-12). They are 6-4 in the shootout and 1-8 in games decided during the five-minute overtime period.
New Jersey Devils (25-35-9)
Where they stand: 59 points; 20 points out of second wild card
Games remaining: 13 (six home; seven road)
Key games: March 25 vs. Sabres; April 4 at Hurricanes
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Need to know: The Devils have lost six in a row (0-5-1) and eight of their past 10 (2-7-1).
Detroit Red Wings (24-35-10)
Where they stand: 58 points; 21 points out of second wild card
Games remaining: 13 (six home; seven road)
Key games: March 12 at Canadiens; March 28 at Sabres
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Need to know: The Red Wings have one win in their past 11 games (1-7-3).
Ottawa Senators (23-40-6)
Where they stand: 52 points; eliminated from playoff contention
Games remaining: 13 (seven home; six road)
Key games: March 16 vs. Maple Leafs; March 26 vs. Sabres
If playoffs started today: Will not qualify
Need to know: The Senators became the first team eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention this season. Ottawa is 1-9-1 in its past 11 games.
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