NHL Eastern conference race.

1	BUFFALO*	53	35	14		4	74	200	153
2	NEW JERSEY*	52	31	15		6	68	140	125
3	ATLANTA*	54	29	17		8	66	167	165
4	MONTREAL	52	28	18		6	62	154	150
5	OTTAWA	53	30	21		2	62	178	144
6	PITTSBURGH	50	25	17		8	58	170	157
7	TAMPA BAY	53	28	23		2	58	169	163
8	CAROLINA	54	26	22		6	58	163	172
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9	TORONTO	52	25	21		6	56	169	171
10	NY RANGERS	51	25	22		4	54	149	151
11	NY ISLANDERS	51	24	21		6	54	154	150
12	FLORIDA	53	20	23		10	50	153	169
13	WASHINGTON	52	21	24		7	49	163	186
14	BOSTON	50	22	24		4	48	140	189
15	PHILADELPHIA	51	12	32		7	31	125	195

*= division leaders.

Only 6 points separate 4th place from being out of the playoffs. The race definatly heated up. Philadelphia and lately Boston with a horrible January slide is in danger of being out of hte playoffs.

Washington and Florida could easily run out of gas without a significant trade, especially Florida who has goaltending issues since the start of the 06-07 campaign.

The rest of the contenders listed from 4th to even the N-Y Islanders 11th (8 teams) are in a dogfight for the 5 remaining spots. (4th to 8th)
Montreal,Ottawa,Pittsburgh,Tampa,stanley cup defending champs Carolina Hurricanes currently hanging by a thread 8th, Toronto and the Rangers are all alive and will be fighting to the end.