Eastern Conference: Teams Jockey For Position With One Week Left

It's the final week of the NHL Regular Season and only 9 of 30 teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Checking in on the Eastern Conference:

• Boston has locked up the #1 seed and will probably face the Rangers or the Panthers - both teams are now tied with 89 points with 3 games remaining. Personally, I'd love to see a Rangers-Bruins 1st round series.
  
• Washington and New Jersey will be fighting for the #2 seed which ultimately won't matter. Both teams may rest their stars in the final game of the season. If the Devils sit Brodeur, they will turn to Scott Clemmensen who rejoined the team this weekend.
  
• And here's where it gets interesting: Philadelphia (95 points), Carolina (95 points), Pittsburgh (93 points) and Montreal (92 points) will jockey for seeds 4 through 7 barring any major collapse this week.
  
• In a busy night in the NHL tomorrow, Montreal visits the Rangers, while the Panthers skate into Philly. I expect both of these tilts to be intense playoff-like battles. The playoff picture may get a bit clearer with a Philly win. The Flyers can clinch a playoff spot and will add some separation for that coveted #4 seed (home ice in round one)... and fuzzier with a Canadiens or Panthers victory.
  
• Pittsburgh and Carolina both take on teams that are fighting for the #1 Draft position (Tampa and the Islanders)... so count on wins there.

A look at the Western Conference race will be featured later...

Check out this sick shootout move.

Thanks to Brian Casablanca for sending this in.