The race for the last places in the playoffs in the East and the West look likely to go down to the last games of the season,could benefit the teams going for the last few places as when the playoffs start they'll have been playing playoff style hockey for weeks.

The Flyers and Rangers was like that last year. a back to back home and away game.

Looks like the Blackhawks have finally got over their Stanley cup 'Hangover' as they won their 8 game in a row last night beating the Leafs 5-3,it might be too late the catch the Wings in the division but a return to the playoffs are now on when a few weeks ago it was looking a bit dodgy.

There are a couple of weeks left on the regular season now and it looks like the top 8 are set in the East unless Buffalo has a meltdown but the final places are still up for grabs in the West with the Blackhawks holding the last place for now.

Great 3-2 OT win for the Blackhawks last night in Detroit with ex Wings player Hossa silencing all the boos he got in the game with the winner.On to another original six match-up tonight with a game in Boston.

A very tired looking Hawks blanked by Boston 3-0, 3 games in 4 days against 3 very tough teams taken its toll especially as still missing Bolland & Sharp.

Think the Hawks will make it into the playoffs and could even reach 4th spot at a push however think 5th-6th is on.

Looks like Detroits form going wrong way coming upto the play-offs getting well and truly spanked at home by the Blues 10-3

Hawks blow a 2-0 lead against the BJ's end up going 3-2 down then with 5 mins of the 3rd left they tie the game to take the game into OT and manage to edge out a win and much needed 2pts. The flames getting a win too which keeps them in the race for the final spot and the pressure on the Hawks.

Rangers win shootout against Flyers.

If the Sabres beat Carolina tonight the East is pretty much set up now with the 8 teams in the playoffs.

Hawks get a huge 2pts with an overtime win against the Blues which leaves the Stars having to win all of their last 3 games to have any chance of taking the 8th and final spot in the West. Calgary were eliminated from the race after the Ducks beat the Sharks last night.

Rangers need a win against Atlanta tonight to leapfrog Buffalo and Montreal in the Eastern Conference. Live on ESPN America tonight, 12am. Had a good 5-3 win against Boston on Monday.

Never thought I would see the Wings on the end of a scoreline like that.

The rangers blow a huuuuuge chance. Doesn't matter how you get in. Look at Philly last year

The Red Wings got stuffed 10 - 3 at home !!!

Big trouble for the Rangers. Carolina with a game in hand play tonight against our conquerers, the Thrashers. However they also play tomorrow against Tampa Bay so that may possibly work in the Rangers favour, however Carolina NEED to lose tonight for us to stand any chance of getting in the playoffs.

And if we do, it won't get any easiers; the oppo will be the #1 seeded Caps. Really hope Tortorella has got them fired up against the Devils tomorrow afternoon. Should be a barnburner of a game. Devils have absolutely nothing to play for, but I'm sure they would like nothing better than to stop an old rival getting into the playoffs.

Hurricanes batter the Thrashers 6-1 to take charge of 8th place. All or nothing for the Rangers, Carolina has to lose to get a playoff place. Exactly the same situation as last year.

Rangers leading 4-2 after 2 periods, going well so far, especially after being 2-1 down.

Rangers win 5-2, they have done their job, now it's up to Tampa Bay to do us a favour and beat Carolina.

Tampa thrash Carolina 6-2 and the Rangers make the 8! Phew!



Next up though, the #1 ranked Caps. Gonna be a tough series of 7.

Chicago lose to the Wings and now need Minnesota to beat Dallas later on or the defending champs won't be defending the cup in the playoffs.I can't see Dallas losing as they've been playing well for a few weeks and the Wild will be looking forward to the beach or the golf courses instead of playing hard tonight.

Looks like our prayers were answered last night

and we owe the Wild a big one for beating Dallas.

Lets hope we can start a fresh and pick up the game, Canucks is a big ask this season, still its play off hockey so anything can happen.

Thank chuff for that.

Big thanks to the Wild last night,they could easily have not bothered but I watched it on ESPNA and it's the best i've seen them play in a long while,if they had played like that all season they'd have been in the playoffs themselves.

May I just point out that at the start of the season I predicted a Washington/Vancouver final and both teams finished top of their conference.

Here are the playoff matchups and my predictions.

East

Washington/New York Rangers (Washington win in 6 games)
Philly/Buffalo (Philly win in 5)
Boston/Montreal (Boston win in 6)
Pittsburgh/Tampa (Tampa win in 6)

West
Vancouver/Chicago(Van win in 6)Hope i'm wrong but I think they've got more depth in scoring than the Hawks plus there's no big Buff this year to get inside Luongo's head.
San Jose/LA (SJ win in 5)
Detroit/Phoenix(Det win in 4)
Anaheim/Nashville(Anaheim win in 7)

Blackhawks to win in 6.

East

Washington/New York Rangers (Caps win in 6 games but wouldnt rule out a suprise)
Philly/Buffalo (Philly win in 5)
Boston/Montreal (Boston win in 5)
Pittsburgh/Tampa (Tampa win in 6)

West
Vancouver/Chicago(Chicago win in 5)
San Jose/LA (SJ win in 5)
Detroit/Phoenix(Det win in 6)
Anaheim/Nashville(Anaheim win in 6)

Think the Hawks can take the Canucks in 5 if I'm honest & a little hopeful, mind you the only worry is the Canucks have to win a series against us at some point. We could always use Bickell or Dowell to do the same job as Buff did last year and crashing the net a few times and rattling Luongo.

We need Bolland & Brouwer back as soon as possible as both are missed when out. Hopes are that Bolland will be okay but Brouwer still doubtful for the series but travelling so fingers crossed.