Here is where the Eastern Conference playoff picture stands today:
Tampa Bay Lightning (55-13-4)
Where they stand: 114 points; first in NHL and Atlantic Division
Games remaining: 10 (three home; seven 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 will clinch the Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference and Presidents' Trophy with one more victory.
Boston Bruins (43-20-9)
Where they stand: 95 points; second in Atlantic Division
Games remaining: 10 (three home; seven 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 are 12-3-1 since their leading goal scorer (31) David Pastrnak underwent thumb surgery on Feb. 12. Pastrnak is expected to return to the Boston lineup soon.
Toronto Maple Leafs (43-24-5)
Where they stand: 91 points; third in Atlantic Division
Games remaining: 10 (four home; six road)
Key game: April 6 at Montreal Canadiens
If playoffs started today: Would play the Bruins in first round
Need to know: The Maple Leafs have allowed 23 goals in their past four games (1-3-0).
New York Islanders (42-23-7)
Where they stand: 91 points; tied for first in Metropolitan Division
Games remaining: 10 (four home, six road)
Key games: March 26 at Columbus Blue Jackets; April 6 at Capitals
If playoffs started today: Would play the Carolina Hurricanes in first round
Need to know: The Islanders have won three of their past four and five of seven (5-2-0) and own a tiebreak edge over the Washington Capitals for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
Washington Capitals (42-23-7)
Where they stand: 91 points; tied for first in Metropolitan Division
Games remaining: 10 (six home, four road)
Key games: March 26 vs. Carolina Hurricanes; April 6 vs. New York Islanders
If playoffs started today: Would play the Pittsburgh Penguins in first round
Need to know: The Capitals have five games remaining against Metropolitan Division opponents. They are 15-6-2 within the division this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins (39-24-10)
Where they stand: 88 points; third in Metropolitan Division
Games remaining: 9 (four home; five road)
Key games: March 19 at Carolina Hurricanes; March 31 vs. Carolina Hurricanes
If playoffs started today: Would play the Capitals in first round
Need to know: Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is fourth in the NHL with 92 points (33 goals, 59 assists), his most since he had 104 points (36 goals, 68 assists) in 2013-14.
Carolina Hurricanes (39-25-7)
Where they stand: 85 points; first wild card from Eastern Conference
Games remaining: 11 (seven home, four road)
Key games: March 19 vs. Penguins; March 26 at Capitals
If playoffs started today: Would play the Islanders in first round
Need to know: The Hurricanes allow an average of 34.8 shots on goal per game, most in the NHL. However, their 2.73 goals-against average is seventh best in the League.
Columbus Blue Jackets (40-28-4)
Where they stand: 84 points; second wild card from Eastern Conference
Games remaining: 10 (three home; seven road)
Key games: March 26 vs. Islanders; March 28 vs. Montreal Canadiens
If playoffs started today: Would play the Lightning in first round
Need to know: The Blue Jackets have allowed two goals or fewer in five of their past seven games (4-2-1).
Montreal Canadiens (37-28-7)
Where they stand: 81 points; three points out of second wild card
Games remaining: 10 (five home; five road)
Key games: March 21 vs. Islanders; April 6 vs. Maple Leafs
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Need to know: The Canadiens have lost four of their past five games and scored eight goals in that span.
Philadelphia Flyers (35-29-8)
Where they stand: 78 points; six points out of second wild card
Games remaining: 10 (five home, five road)
Key games: March 23 vs. Islanders; March 30 at Hurricanes
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Need to know: The Flyers are 25th in the League in penalty killing percentage (78.6) and tied for 24th on the power play (16.3).
Florida Panthers (32-28-12)
Where they stand: 76 points; eight points out of second wild card
Games remaining: 10 (five home; five road)
Key games: March 26 at Canadiens; March 30 at Bruins
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Need to know: The Panthers had won four games in a row and scored 20 goals in that span before a 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.
Buffalo Sabres (31-32-9)
Where they stand: 71 points; 13 points out of second wild card
Games remaining: 10 (five home; five road)
Key games: March 20 vs. Maple Leafs; March 23 at Canadiens
If playoffs started today: Would not qualify
Need to know: The Sabres are 3-11-2 since Feb 15 and are winless in their past 10 road games (0-8-2) since Jan. 30.
New York Rangers (28-31-13)
Where they stand: 69 points; 15 points out of second wild card
Games remaining: 10 (five home; five 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 38 games decided by one goal this season and are 16-9-13 in those games. They are 6-15 in games decided by three goals or more.
The New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators have each been eliminated from playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.
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