Rangers gain ground, Penguins drop to 7th

If the playoffs started today the Penguins would be the #7 seed in the Eastern Conference, giving them the worst possible matchup against the #2 New Jersey Devils who I regard as the top team in the East.

The Rangers gained ground tonight as Nikolai Zherdev had a goal and an assist to lift the New York Rangers (39-27-8) to a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. The win moved the Rangers up to the #6 spot in the Eastern Conference, dropping the Penguins to the #7 spot due to the Rangers have an advantage in the season series between the division rivals.

4. Philadelphia Flyers (40-22-10, 90 pts)

Games Remaining: 10

5. Carolina Hurricanes (40-28-7, 87 pts)

Games Remaining: 7

6. New York Rangers (39-27-8, 86 pts)

Games Remaining: 8

7. Pittsburgh Penguins (39-27-8, 86 pts)

Games Remaining: 8

8. Montreal Canadiens (37-27-9, 83 pts)

Games Remaining: 9

9. Florida Panthers (35-27-11, 81 pts)

Games Remaining: 9

Analysis: Penguins fans seem to be getting a bit too comfortable these days. If I had to make a prediction rigth now, I would say the Penguins will make the playoffs but they are only five points ahead of the #9 seed and the Penguins have a tough schedule ahead of them. There is no guarantee just yet that the Penguins will make the playoffs. Of all the potential teams the Penguins could face,