4/4/09: Recap and tomorrow's games that matter

Tonight's games (involving Eastern Conference teams):

1. Devils 3 - Sabres 2:  Caps still are 7 points from the 2 seed.  The Devils are 2 points from their division crown.
   
2. Bruins 1 - Rangers 0: Bruins clinch the conference.  Rangers no longer control the 8 seed (Florida holds the tiebreaker).
3. Canadiens 6 - Leafs 2: Canadiens still control the 7 seed right now, are 4 points from securing a playoff berth.
   
4. Senators 4 - Flyers 3 (OT): Flyers are 1 point from the playoffs (or 1 lost point from Florida).  Still control the 4 seed.
   
5. Canes 3 - Pens 2 (OT): Even with an OTL, the Pens control the 5 seed.  The Canes and Pens are 1 and 3 points away from the Playoffs respectively.
   
6. Lightning 3 - Islanders 1: 2 points for the Ning!  More ping pong balls for the Tavares/Wong marriage!
   

Tomorrow's games (involving Eastern Conference teams):

1. Thrashers @ Caps: Motivation?  Here's motivation: I DON'T WANT TO SEE THE FREAKING PENS OR FLYERS IN THE FIRST ROUND.  GET OFF YOUR ASSES AND CLINCH THE FREAKING 2 SEED.  ahem.  Caps MN for the 2 seed is 7 (NJD).
   
2. Pens @ Panthers: Frankly, rooting for the Pens is the right play here.  A win there puts them in a dead heat with Carolina for the 5 seed...and if the Caps can't take care of their business we'll be playing the 6 seed.
   

You can find an updated Playoff Tracker here.  Note that in the tracker, I don't account for tiebreakers. New exciting (to me) update: I've added a little table to help compare head to head points earned.  Any feedback?

Best case Scenario for tonight:

Caps show up, beat Atlanta, and close the gap for the 2 seed clinch to 5 points.