EASTERN CONFERENCE

	TEAM		GP	W	L	OT	GF	GA	PTS
1		NYR	76	48	21	7	209	170	103
2		BOS	76	45	28	3	249	186	93
3		FLA	76	37	24	15	189	208	89
4		PIT	76	47	23	6	256	200	100
5		PHI	76	44	24	8	241	213	96
6		NJD	77	43	28	6	208	201	92
7		OTT	77	39	28	10	236	227	88
8		BUF	77	38	29	10	202	210	86
9		WSH	77	38	31	8	206	219	84
10		WPG	76	35	33	8	205	223	78
11		TBL	76	35	34	7	216	260	77
12		CAR	77	31	31	15	205	228	77
13		NYI	76	32	33	11	185	227	75
14		TOR	77	33	35	9	217	242	75
15		MTL	77	29	34	14	199	214	71

COMPLETE STANDINGS

We all recognize that the Winnipeg Jets chances to make the playoffs are incredibly slim and require a miraculous combination of a seven-game winning streak by the Jets, combined with an absolute tanking down the stretch by the Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals. But we must still remember, there is a chance!

Notes: A 3-0 shutout loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night means the Toronto Maple Leafs will officially miss the playoffs for the seventh straight season. The last playoff appearance by the Maple Leafs was in spring of 2004...

YESTERDAY'S GAMES:

Buffalo Sabres 5, Washington Capitals 1

Buffalo's 5-1 crushing defeat of the Washington Capitals was actually a really good thing for the Winnipeg Jets. This is due to the fact that the Jets own the tie-break over the Sabres in the standings, but would not beat out the Capitals should they be tied in points at the end of the year. The only obstacle now is finishing at least tied with the Sabres at the end of the year.

The win gives Buffalo a clear hold on eighth place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the Capitals and eight points ahead of the Jets. Their incredible late-season run has continued as they now have won five straight.

TONIGHT'S KEY MATCH-UPS:

New York Rangers at Winnipeg Jets (6:00 PM, TSN)

The Jets are not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet, and must focus on the next game at hand, which happens to be tonight against the conference-leading New York Rangers. The Jets have dropped all three of their match-ups against the Rangers this season, being outscored 8-1 in those games.

Ideal Jets Outcome: Jets Win!

OTHER MATCH-UPS:

• Detroit Red Wings at Columbus Blue Jackets (6:30 PM)
• Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames (8:30 PM)
• Dallas Stars at Edmonton Oilers (8:30 PM)
• Colorado Avalanche at Vancouver Canucks (9:00 PM)
• San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks (9:00 PM)