NHL Playoff Chase In The East Is Down To The Wire

NEW YORK (AP) — The playoff race in the NHL’s Eastern Conference comes down to seven teams fighting for five spots over the final three weeks of the season. It’s possible that the teams finishing ninth and 10th in the East tie or break the record for the most standings points among those who fail to qualify. Montreal, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Boston, Ottawa and the New York Islanders all have more points than Pacific-Division leading Anaheim, and Detroit has the same amount. They’ll jockey for positioning down the stretch knowing that a single loss could be the difference.