With five big games last night, results held to form pretty much with only the surging Isles winning on the road – and in come-from-behind fashion at that – beating the Leafs 5-3 after falling behind 2-0 early in the first period.  Derek already recapped the Rangers’ easy 6-1 win over the Panthers, which kept them in playoff position by a slim margin over the surging Jets – who won their fifth in a row outlasting Carolina 4-3 in overtime.  For the second straight game, Winnipeg walked a tightrope blowing a late lead, but winning after regulation.

Ottawa’s 3-1 win over the Caps snapped Washington’s eight-game winning streak, and put the Jets within striking distance of the Southeast lead as well.  Montreal’s 3-2 win over Tampa gave them a temporary foothold on the Northeast lead, though the second-place Bruins have two games in hand.  And though still not realistically on the bubble, I’d be remiss not giving a public yay to the Devils finally snapping their 10-game losing streak by beating the Flyers 3-0 in Philly, pushing the Flyers’ tragic number to one while keeping the Devils on life support through at least the next couple days.

Northeast (#2 seed) battle:

2. Montreal 59 points (24 ROW) – 4 games left
4. Boston 57 points (22 ROW) – 6 games left

Southeast (#3 seed) battle:

3. Washington 50 points (21 ROW) – 4 games left
— Winnipeg 48 points (21 ROW) – 4 games left

Playoff seeding and bubble:

5. Toronto 53 points (24 ROW) – 4 games left
6. Ottawa 52 points (19 ROW) – 5 games left
7. Islanders 51 points (20 ROW) – 4 games left
8. Rangers 48 points (18 ROW) – 5 games left
—————————————————
9. Winnipeg 48 points (21 ROW) – 4 games left
10. Buffalo 44 points (13 ROW) – 4 games left

Last night’s results:
Islanders 5, Toronto 3
Rangers 6, Florida 1
Ottawa 3, Washington 1
Winnipeg 4, Carolina 3 (OT)
Montreal 3, Tampa Bay 2

Tonight’s games:

Pittsburgh at Boston – Boston looks to get back on track in the Northeast race while Pittsburgh coasts toward the #1 seed.

Rangers at Buffalo – needless to say a huge game for both teams.  If Buffalo wants to keep their faint hopes alive, they need a regulation win, while the Rangers need at least a point to remain in the #8 position.